Image Comics; $3.99 

When the Batman: Three Jokers creative team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Jason Fabok kicked off Rook: Exodus, there weren’t many who know what to expect. Many comics start out with the pretense of science fiction and quickly devolve into superhero stories. In this one, though, actual science fiction is actually occurring. 

The initial story arc of the series was comprised of the first six issues. They introduced Rook, one of the many wardens on the now-failed planet Exodus. He and his peers were given helmets that allowed them to communicate with a specific species (in his case, it was crows) at the behest of Better-World, the company that had promised new life on Exodus.   

As terraforming and the World Engine failed on Exodus, the people who had paid to restart their lives there paid even more to get away. This left the company’s employees there with the promise the company would return for them. As the story starts, it’s been a long time, they’re still waiting, and the place is starting to fall apart.  

Then someone started killing the remaining wardens. The arc was packed with intelligent concepts, bold choices, great writing, and mesmerizing art. In the space of a few pages in the first issue, Johns and Fabok created a world and pulled readers into it. 

Now, after a pause of several months, they’re back with the new arc. First, bless them for continuing the series with Rook Exodus #7 rather than a new number one. Second, this issue, if anything, is better than what came before. 

As the world and its mystery continues to unravel, Rook and fellow warden Dire Wolf search for Bloodhound, once the most respected warden of all. He’s disappeared and reportedly gone crazy – a side effect of his warden helmet – so they not only have to find him, but they must also help him find himself. Oh, and he’s Dire Wolf’s father. 

With great pacing and intensity and art that’s simply beautiful, this issue continues Ghost Machine’s well-deserved reputation for producing a quality package. And the next issue looks truly creepy. I can’t wait. 

– J.C. Vaughn