False Promises And Dull Domesticity: Reviewing ‘Redcoat’ #15

I’ve always found Redcoat a bit hit and miss, and I freely admit I still have a big problem with the perspective of American history we are encouraged to adopt throughout this series. It’s not like they’ve not had an opportunity to address the history of America that existed long before Europeans colonised the country, but it would seem writer Geoff Johns and artist Bryan Hitch are quite happy following the path they have plotted with the constant referral point being 1776. Almost as if American history only really happened once the white man was free of their English overlords. 

But, I digress.

Redcoat #15 is an issue I would definitely file in the “miss” pile. An issue that sees our roguish hero announce on the cover that if you’re looking for action, adventure, magic and mayhem, you’re going to need to look inside. At which point you won’t be met with any of the above. Talk about false advertising. And a lazy cover too. Almost as if the storyline of this issue has failed to ignite any inspiration for the cover. 

We are in 1909 and, as I believe, we’re meant to be startled by the revelation that our Simon has a family. And retired from… well, whatever he actually has done in the intervening decades. Even if he’s still immortal. And much like his new profession of tailoring, Simon’s life is one of dullness. As for his family? You just know they have been introduced and established merely to serve as the tragic reason Simon returns to his adventuring ways when they’re inevitably killed off. After all, what’s a hero without the loss of loved ones as a catalyst for action? 

So, onto the positives. The art is good. 

Hitch is a master in body language and acting, and even though this is a very dull issue of family life and abstinence, the artwork at least keeps it chivvying along. Just. 

And that’s about as much as I can muster for this very flat issue. An issue that really serves one purpose: to give Simon a life he’s never had, so it can be ripped away from him in a few issues’ time. A predictable and lacklustre issue in a series that has a few too many of these for my tastes. Oh, and the promise of some action next issue… harkening back to 1776, of course. Yawn.

Redcoat #15 is out now from Ghost Machine/Image Comics