Just before last month’s explosive ending of We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us, Annalise learned the truth about her mad scientist father and what remains of the secret secluded island she once called home. As we continue to explore the science fiction spy world that Matt Rosenberg and Stefano Landini have created, one thing is for sure: There are plenty of twists and turns that show readers that this is not your typical spy thriller.

Annalise is on the run after an explosion on her father’s secluded island. When she is found by one of the island’s robots, Annalise decides to find her dad, but the robot has one mission: to get her safely off the island. Meanwhile, a secret meeting of villains, known as La Coterie De Sept, goes awry when one villain refuses to comply.

Matt Rosenberg’s spy world is a blast. (No pun intended.) In a normal spy story, this would be the story’s end. With the evil scientist neutralized by Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the spy should be riding off into the sunset while the agency cleans up the mess, but one string remains dangling. The melding of 1970s spy movies with crazy science fiction and humor works on so many levels. This was a pretty bonkers issue, and Stefano Landini and Jason Wordie’s art is so good. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering keeps getting more inventive.

Cliffhangers are the blessing and the curse of the medium. While the tropes are familiar enough to fans of spy thrillers, they are mixed up enough to make this an exciting entry in the genre (and in comics generally). I don’t know what is in store for Annalise and her robot companion, but I am anxious to find out.

Creative Team: Matt Rosenberg (writer), Stefano Landini (artist), Jason Wordie (colorist), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (letterer)
Publisher: Image Comics
Click here to purchase.