The story behind the comic book The Thirty Six is based on the Kabbalistic belief that there are 36 people in the world upon whom it is saved by their simple existence. As the book states, “In times of need, these people emerge from anonymity to save us.”

Fair warning, comic book sniffers, the latest issue of The Thirty Six will leave you with a serious addiction and no idea where you’ll find your next fix – and this is a good thing! To say that Kristopher White ends this chapter of his epic story with a bang is a massive understatement. It’s issues like this one that make you say, “…there should be a movie.”

MINOR SPOILERS BELOW

Everything about this issue is epic! Both White and artist George Zapata bring their A game, making the finale of this story arc the most exciting and active issue so far. This story is suspenseful, touches on almost every character we’ve met so far, and is exactly the ending that a story like The Thirty Six needs! Far too often these days, the build up is huge, but the result is less than satisfying, but The Leviathan totally matches the hype. We’ve got helicopters crashing, ships being torn in half, and we even take a trip inside the beast’s belly – the most bizarre and freaky location in the series so far!

The major strength of the book continues to be the relationship and tragedy of Noam and Shira. Last issue set up the details of their Shakespearean situation, and White keeps the reader guessing as to what will transpire between them until the final pages of the book. White and Zapata also make a great choice by leaving Shira naked for the better half of the issue, but it’s not what you think. While many would be unable to resist the urge to put Shira in drool-inducing, pin-up style panels, the writer and artist are clever about cheating Shira’s nakedness in order to keep her from being a pure object of lust, but still use the lack of clothes to tap into the intimacy and vulnerability of the emotional scenes between her and her husband Noam.

This issue also includes a number of White’s geek friendly nods, including a Concrete reference. I’m also pretty sure that George Zapata drew a pulse rifle from Aliens in there, so, of course, that’s just f#$%ing awesome! Also, be sure to keep an eye out for Zapata’s fantastic drawing of The Leviathan of page #1, where we can actually see it munch out on some unfortunate world (probably ours – nom, nom, nom). I also want to give a special shout out to Chris Throne, who provided the spectacular cover for Issue #4 and a sweet pinup in Issue #5. I had a chance to meet Chris at a recent signing, and he’s an awesome and friendly guy, along with being a super talented artist! Be sure to check out more of his work at his website: www.christhorneart.info.

If I have any complaints at all, it’s that we didn’t get more. I was so tied into the Shira and Noam story that I would’ve appreciated a little more reflection or discussion on the final situation at the end. I was also curious as to the fate of the good guy Golem, Yosef. He appears to sacrifice himself in a truly awesome manner, but there’s no confirmation as to what the end result is. Given the world of comics’ ability to make any corpse rise from the grave, I won’t be counting Yosef out for the count just yet. Honestly, if these are my biggest complaints, that I didn’t get more story, then you know these guys have done their jobs! Kris! George! Get to work! I need to know what happens next!!!

Issues #1-#5 are available through Graphicly, and you can find out info about the soon-to-be-released trade paperback at the official website, www.the36.net. You can also follow creator/writer Kristopher White on Twitter, @heykristopher.

That’s all for now, comic book sniffers! You can also check out Fanboy Comics’ previous interviews with Kristopher White and reviews of The 36 at the following links:

The 36 #4 Review
The 36 #3 Review
The 36 #2 Review
The 36 #1 Review

Comikaze Expo 2011: Fanboy Comics Interviews Kristopher White, Creator/Writer of The 36
Fanboy Comics Interviews Kristopher White, Creator/Writer of The 36

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