While there’s a wide variety of comics on the shelves these days to choose from, most of us live on a fixed income. This is why I consider it so important to champion unique, amazing, stand-out series like The Mercenary Sea. Written by Kel Symons and featuring the art of Mathew Reynolds, The Mercenary Sea has been compared to Joss Whedon’s Firefly, if it took place on a refitted German U-Boat during the 1930s. Symons and Reynolds consistently deliver a book every month that features breathtaking artwork, clever dialogue, and bold storytelling in an action-adventure serial package that easily fits among the likes of Johnny Quest, Indiana Jones, and other Grade A examples of the genre. The Mercenary Sea is easily among the top indie books out there these days, and those missing out on the exploits of Captain Jack Harper and his crew are bound to regret it.

Luckily, even if you’ve never picked up a single issue, it is easy to jump on board The Mercenary Sea with the upcoming release of The Mercenary Sea #7. Issue #7 is the beginning of a new story arc and will be an easy place for new readers to join the fun. Plus, the first trade paperback of The Mercenary Sea (containing the first six issues of the series) is now available for purchase, so it’s an easy time to catch up. Here’s the important part: TODAY, October 13th, 2014, is the Final Order Cutoff date for The Mercenary Sea #7, so if you want to show your support for this very deserving comic book series and guarantee yourself a copy, ORDER IT TODAY! Call, email, or visit your local comic book shop and ask to preorder a copy of The Mercenary Sea #7 TODAY! Do me proud, indie comic book supporters!

Now, on to the rest of the review . . .

SPOILERS BELOW

The Mercenary Sea #7 is an action-packed issue that sees Harper even more obsessed with the legend of the lost island, Koji Ra, after his “find” in the last issue. Despite his good luck in finding further confirmation that his own personal “Holy Grail” does, in fact, exist, Harper and his crew are forced to fight off Japanese Torpedo Bombers, escape hot pursuit in a high-energy car chase with General Tojo’s soldiers, and escape from one mean-looking Japanese tank in order to continue their mission. And, in classic action serial style, the final pages leave us with a thrilling cliffhanger about the future danger zeroing in on the crew of The Venture.

Issue #7 is a perfect example of why each issue of The Mercenary Sea is SO damn good! Starting off with another excellent, exciting, and dynamic cover by Reynolds, The Mercenary Sea #7 does not let up until the final page. Symons’ script is one of his best so far, expanding the myth of Koji Ra (I can not accurately communicate how excited I am by even the faintest possibility that we’ll see Harper and his crew among dinosaurs in a Lost World type scenario . . . Please let this happen!) while also providing his readers with a healthy helping of the Indiana Jones-style action they’ve come to expect and love from The Mercenary Sea.

When it comes to the artwork in this issue, Reynolds is at the top of his game once again. I’ve already mentioned his excellent cover image, but Reynolds also gifts readers with a car chase lit by the hazy glow of headlights that is visually stunning, and he also ends the issue with a beautiful, evocative, and noir-esque final image.

FINAL VERDICT: I cannot recommend this book (or preordering Issue #7 TODAY) enough! If you give any kind of credence to my review or opinion of comics and you’re not reading The Mercenary Sea, I implore you to remedy that situation today by preordering Issue #7! This is one adventure that won’t leave you disappointed.

For more info on The Mercenary Sea, visit the official Image Comics website.

Also, be sure to check out my reviews of the previously released issues of The Mercenary Sea.  (Spoiler: They’re just as good!)

 

‘The Mercenary Sea #1:’ Advance Comic Book Review (You Can’t Take 1938 from Me)

‘The Mercenary Sea #2:’ Advance Comic Book Review (Rough Waters Ahead . . . )

‘The Mercenary Sea #3:’ Advance Comic Book Review (New Mission and Old Enemies

‘The Mercenary Sea #4:’ Advance Comic Book Review (Top Hat Is Top Notch!)

‘The Mercenary Sea #5:’ Advance Comic Book Review (Steady on Course)

‘The Mercenary Sea #6:’ Advance Comic Book Review (Just Under the Surface . . . )

 

Finally, don’t miss writer Kel Symons’ appearance on FBC’s weekly podcast, The Fanboy Scoop: Week in Review. You can listen to or download the episode by clicking here.

That’s all for now, comic book sniffers. Have General Tojo bill me for the damages . . .

‘Till the end of the world,
-Bryant the Comic Book Slayer