“You are an arrow set in the air. Your karma is to find your mark.”
Those words – and the image of arrows sailing through the air – resonate through the man of the resurrection: Quantum Karma #4. In a way, the idea of flying arrows represents the way that a constant cycle of Mitch Shelley’s resurrection led him to an exact moment. In another case, it’s an emphasis on the title. The concept of karma is that the sum of your actions comes to define your destiny. Ram V and Anand RK take this to the ultimate level as the mysterious figure Shelley met in the afterlife turns out to be a future version of herself.
It sounds like it’s advantageous for both sides because of all existence, but V is in turn by revealing the costs associated with that victory. These are not the costs Shelley willing to pay, and he will soon be at odds with his previous self. But what’s really surprising is the last page where Shelley goes to seek help from another Deep Cut DC character. Not only is this a character with his own black label series, he is also the complete opposite of Shelley’s super-powerful existence. The fact that V is willing to break genres and the tradition of storytelling is what makes Quantum Karma such a compelling read.
The other half of what makes it a compelling read is RK’s artwork. Every time he thinks he can’t put himself on top, he does. The image of Gashadokuro tearing time brings a truly disturbing vision of flesh and blood spilling across the stars, as if the universe itself had cancer. Another image features a literally peeling flash, somehow topped with Barry Allen’s horrifying death in an endless planetary crisis. But the image that sticks me most is a huge hole in the middle of the sky, tearing through an open city and screaming at people afterwards. The image of the apocalypse is nothing new in superhero fiction, but RK actually makes readers feel the weight of the destruction that is occurring on the page.
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Mike Spicer also fills the pages with colours that blend their eyes. On the opening page, which takes place during the Kurkshestra war, most of the sky is illuminated with golden shades, and the peaceful light is in direct contrast to the conflict taking place below. In fact, the Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma #4 thrives in colour contrast. The black black in the night sky is in contrast to the raw red meat of Gashado Kuro. Future Shelley’s dark red cape meanders the snake all over the page, folding and filling up blank spaces. This contrast permeates Adityabidkal’s lettering, as future Shelley’s captions are inverse colours of his counterparts. If karma is about balance, this creative team is trying to apply it to that art.
Whether it’s superheroes and magic, life and death, or altruism and self-interest, the Man of Resurrection: Quantum Karma #4 is a story about balance. Also, two issues may remain, but there is plenty of room for continuing to explore that dynamic.
“The Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma” #4 is about breaking the cycle
Resurrected Man: Quantum Karma #4
The Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma #4 is about balance. Whether it’s superheroes and magic, life and death, or altruism and self-interest, this is a story about balance. Also, two issues may remain, but there is plenty of room for continuing to explore that dynamic.
V’s script continues to blow up genres and stories, and goes against the usual superhero stories.
RK’s artwork gives you a sense of the true weight of a super-powerful interpersonal battle.
Vibrant colors regenerate into the underlying story of finding balance.
A surprise appearance from another DC hero hopes the next two issues get faster:
