By Keigen Rea — Protector #4 might be my new favorite example of an issue that tells its own story, while building off of previous issues, and setting up the next one. It’s almost paradoxical, but this issue pulls it off while using some of my favorite art in all of comics to do it. 

The issue starts off with our cast together, but not united, to help a robot in need. We see allegiances made and broken, and characters questioning beliefs, both their own, and others. Nothing too shocking happens, but the set up this issue does feels like it will pay off nicely. 

I enjoy most everything about this series, but the one nagging issue I have with it is that the characters aren’t easy enough to distinguish from one another. Even then, it’s only a problem with one out of the four main characters, which feels like it could be purposeful to some degree. The action can also be hard to decipher, with one scene being particularly difficult for me to follow. 

Really though, I enjoyed this issue immensely, especially the art. Series artist Artyom Trakhanov has been floating around on the periphery of my comics reading for some time, and I’m happy I’m finally reading a series featuring his art. I love his art style and the way I can see so many different influences while not being too similar to any of them. 

Colorist Jason Wordie further elevates the issue, especially when the story turns violent. The palette goes from natural watery blues and forest greens, to deep reds and acidic yellows, and finally to purples and dark greens. The changes aren’t drastic at all, and elevate the emotions appropriately. 

Lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, who does fantastic work, as always. The style of balloons he uses here are perfect, and perfectly demonstrate the strength of having letters designed to work with the line art as opposed to generic balloons. It makes the lettering feel like a part of the art in a wonderful way. 

My favorite part of this issue, though, are all of the shots of nature throughout. They aren’t strictly necessary,  it they add to the atmosphere of the issue, and help make the world feel more real. The writers didn’t really need to include them, and everyone else didn’t have to go as hard as they did on them, but they did and I love it. I would read an entire series about those geese. Very cute geese!!!

Overall: The penultimate issue of this arc delivers a meaty story and beautiful craft, along with perfectly setting up the arc finale. If you’ve been on the fence about the series, consider this your chance to catch up! 8.5/10

Protector #4 Review

Protector #4 
Writer: Simon Roy & Daniel Benson 
Artist: Artyom Trakhanov
Colorist: Jason Wordie 
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Image 
Price: $3.99
First Knife leads his captors deep into the desert, balancing the demands of the rebel slaves, their demon, and his gods. But what of his own comrades? Under the unsympathetic eyes of the Devas, loyalties strain.
Release Date: July 1, 2020
Buy It Digitally: Protector #4 via comiXology

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Keigen Rea is not working for at least the next six weeks. He does not know if that’s good for him. Find him @prince_organa trying to be relevant to any degree at all.