Review - RASL 12

Jeff Smith is without a doubt one of the greatest independent comic creators of this era. His classic epic Bone sits atop a very short list of 'best comics ever' in my mind. That it continues to be a hot selling property is a testament to its longevity. When Bone ended, Smith went on to do a great Captain Marvel mini-series at DC, but what really got me excited was his new creator owned series RASL. About a dimension hopping art thief named 'RASL'. That was three years ago. You many notice we're only on issue 12 at this point. Jeff Smith, though a modern master is a little slow on the output, often putting 3 or 4 months between issues. Which as a result can sometimes make you forget just what the heck is going on. As best I can recall RASL has been being hassled by lizard looking goons for his won-ton dimension hopping, during which he's had a run in with his death ex-lover in a different universe.

At this point RASL is out driving in the desert in a world where the experiment he was involved with is going critical. He intends to infiltrate the facility to stop the same thing happening to another world that happened in his. Most of this issue is an extended history lesson on the life and times of famed inventor Nikola Tesla. Which is fascinating in its own right as a brief biography. And it does showcase why Tesla and his research is so important to RASL's life. But it also feels like this issue is just a transition to the next. A well rendered, and lovingly fleshed out transition. But a transition none-the-less. Next issue looks to really heat up, and it is my understand the series is actually entering into its end game. It won't be running to many more issues.  Which is too bad for a couple reasons. The main on being that there just aren't that many good science fiction comics out there, RASL, though erratic in schedule, has been consistently entertaining. There just aren't a lot of comics out there like this. Which is too bad. SOLID.

Next: THE SHADE.