By Keigen Rea — Die #15 marks the conclusion of my favorite arc of the series so far. There’s some violence. Revelations. Death. Hints. Very pretty art.

Die has been a series that took a while to click for me, like most of writer Kieron Gillen’s work. I knew to stick with it this time, but it felt longer. I’ve felt particularly lost with some of the fantasy references, particularly the Bronte sisters. This arc felt different though. It felt like things clicked into place and the characters suddenly made sense. Their problems became apparent, their decisions meaningful. This issue brought all of the characters and their decisions together, and set up another new status quo going forward. 

Now, that doesn’t mean this issue is perfect. This arc was always going to need a bucket of ice water on it, because so many issues were so strong. Issues twelve or thirteen could have been finales in their own rights, each with strong cliffhangers. In a different series fourteen’s ending would have fell much flatter because of the promise of violence and death.

Since this issue is only an arc finale, however, it means that we gotta slow down from those violent promises, at least a bit. This issue still strikes a great balance between events that feel important and emotions that feel important, which is really Die’s strength as a series at this point anyway. There are at least four separate decisions that characters make that are scream worthy and will ch age the dynamics going forward.  Are that five, actually. This arc was about a lot of things, but it succeeded at getting the characters back together and giving them a reason to embark on the next part of the story. 

And all that’s great, but Stephanie Hans is immaculate. I’m not sure it’s fair for me to talk about her art. I know I don’t have the vocabulary for it. Just the cover makes her talent obvious, and she follows it with 25 more of them. I tend to focus on coloring in comics, and hers are as good as anyone’s, but her faces are the highlight here. There are only so many ways you can draw a surprised face, but she nails every one of them throughout the issue, including on characters that I wasn’t really sure could be surprised. Her brain is so good. 

The wait until April will be long. 

Overall: One of my favorite comics of the year concludes an absolute monster of an arc. Trade’s out next month if that’s how you read, but if not, you’re gonna love this one. 9/10

REVIEW: Die #15

Die #15
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Stephanie Hans
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
“THE GREAT GAME,” Part Five The Great Game ends. The board is flipped. The pieces go to pieces. Can anyone play on?
Release Date: November 18, 2020
Buy It Digitally: Die #15

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Keigen Rea is excited for the end of the year, for various reasons, including some time off of work and school, along with the fun of making end of the year lists. You can (probably) find him @prince_organa on Twitter.