REVIEW: ‘We Only Find Them When They’re Dead,’ Issue #3

We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #3 is published by BOOM! Studios. It comes from the creative team of writer Al Ewing, artist Simone Di Meo, coloring assists from Mariasara Miotti, and lettering by AndWorld Design. The issue begins with a flashback. Officer Paula Richter, an Escort Ship pilot, has been in a terrible crash that left her alive but badly wounded. As the doctors reassure her, the perspective shifts to the present. Her escort craft is in hot pursuit of the Vihaan II. Its captain, Georges, attempts to reason with her but he is met with silence.

As the two crafts hurtle through warp speed, Georges and his crew discuss logistics. The chase they are engaged in is dangerous and has the potential to lead to the destruction of both ships unless they leave warp speed soon. At this point, Richter chimes in and speaks plainly, stating that she intends to destroy the Vihaan II and kill its crew. With their lives on the line, the group begins to formulate a plan in the hope that they can save themselves and their journey to find a living god.

We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #3 is a masterful example of storytelling. Ewing has crafted a universe that is equally believable and wondrous. Previous issues did a lot with very little in terms of establishing setting and characters. Now, in issue three, the plot is at a point that many series wouldn’t have reached in twice as many issues. The fact that most of this book takes place during an interstellar game of cat and mouse helps keep the events exciting. Even things normally as bland as engine readings and logistics carry that extra weight in a way that fans of series like Star Trek would find imminently compelling.

But despite the rapid pacing, the characters are still a bigger draw because of how well Ewing blends their histories with one another into the present. We don’t know why Richter hates Georges so much, but the hatred is so believable that it doesn’t really matter. Similar is the loyalty and comfort that his crew feels around him. Not enough series have complicated characters like Georges: a man who commands respect but also allows his subordinates to challenge him without repercussion.

The art from Di Meo and Miotti is stunning. You can practically feel the adrenaline and tension in every panel. Particularly engaging is the motion blur in action panels. Capturing the art in moments of high speeds or turmoil is absolutely wonderful. The colors are excellent. Each panel has that distinct feeling of danger espoused in so much sci-fi television. The rapid shifts from blue ambiance to red alerts are so well executed that I can practically hear the klaxons that accompany these warnings. The letters from Andworld Design are solid. They are clean, easy to read, and do a great job of pulling your eyes across the wonderful art.

I continue to be amazed by this series. It is easily one of the most complete, ongoing series that I have ever read. The art is amazing, and the story is engaging and brilliantly told. Once again, I cannot wait to see what happens next as the creative team has somehow raised the stakes for the third issue in a row. You can’t afford not to check out We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #3.

We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #3 is available now wherever comics are sold.