Advance Review: ‘Redcoat’ #11 Kicks Off A New Story Arc And Introduces The Mysterious Northerner

Redcoat #11 transports the reader to 1864 and the eve of the American Civil War. And like any new story arc, we get a lot of set up and character introduction mixed in with the usual nods to American history. This issue introduces us to the mysterious Northerner as well as several notable names from the era, too, for all those history buffs out there. I imagine this is a comic book that would appeal to anyone with such and interest given how artist Bryan Hitch, with inks by Andrew Currie, brings the 19th century to vivid life on the page. With the use of heavily populated double page spreads used in the layout of this issue, the American Civil War era is meticulously recorded in pen and ink, giving the reader as immersive and experience of that era as possible on the printed page.

And with the need to set up the latest story arc and introduce a character long hinted at as important to this comic and Ghost Machine’s larger title-wide plans, the art has to be engaging as the plot line in this issue functions the bigger picture. There is mystery certainly — where has this Northerner come from, and why’s he carrying guns that clearly do not belong in the 19th century? There is also the mystery of The Cobbler, who hires our hero, Simon Pure, to take on a courier mission to deliver an important package to one General John Bell Hood. A rather poor leader of men who suffered great losses at this particular time which our story takes place. Or rather, he would do several months alter at the Battle of Franklin. The inclusion of which raises further tension around this new arc. Why is he employed to silver a package to a general that history tells us was awful, finally being relieved of his duties after the Battle of Nashville. But then, unless you were the very type of history buff I referred to previously, you may not know who Hood was. And without the type of historical knowledge writer Geoff Johns expects you may not get the most out of this issue, or this series.

Thankfully, I am interested in history and am more than happy to look up American Civil War history to better enjoy this series. Which I am, even though I may be a little disappointed in exactly how much exposition is fuelling this issue.

As with many new plot line, we get more questions than answers and the inevitable shocking cliffhanger. But we get more amazing period-perfect art and an earthiness to colourist Rob Leigh’s colours that evokes the era; a dusty, dirty semi-wild frontier with lush landscapes and untapped potential. Johns and Hitch continue to mythologise America, but with the introduction of the Northerner, at least we haven’t got a complete whitewash of history, which has always been a concern for me with this series. Continually having to watch American history played out from the perspective of the European colonisers-cum-Americans is passé and rather outdated in this more diverse age, so I’m glad of the new voice and perspective the Northerner will bring to this book and to the whole Ghost Machine shared universe. 

Redcoat #11 is out on Wednesday 16th April from Image Comics/Ghost Machine.