REVIEW: ‘Crossover,’ Issue #9

Crossover #9 is published by Image Comics, written by Donny Cates, illustrated by Geoff Shaw, colored by Dee Cunniffe, and lettered and designed by John J. Hill. Part two of “Meanwhile…” is split into two different conversations: Ellie is interrogated by Deena Pilgrim and Christian Walker from Powers, while Ryan comes face to face with his father for the first time since “Kids In Chains.” During both conversations, the motives and nature behind the Comic Creator Killer begin to unravel…and the implications are horrifying.

Interrogation scenes are a staple of mystery/crime stories. The draw of the scenes in this issue is that they also discuss the implications of fictional characters learning that they’re, well, fictional. Cates’ script winds through multiple emotions during these discussions. There’s humor in Ellie pointing out that Pilgrim and Walker’s dialogue matches the same patterns that co-creators Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming came up with. There’s a growing sense of horror as Ryan realizes his father’s been in contact with the Comic Creator Killer. And there’s plenty of questions to ponder, namely: if Ellie is a fictional character, who created her?

The issue also lives up to the comic’s title as Shaw and Cunniffe illustrate other characters being detained at a police station. There are glimpses of the Image icon Savage Dragon, Rob Liefeld’s Avengelyne, and somebody who suspiciously looks like Wolverine. Their brightly colored costumes and the Ben-Day dots dancing within their bodies greatly contrast the cold and sterile blue of the police station. The conversations that make up the meat of the book also provide a contrast; Ellie, Pilgrim, and Walker are all fictional characters, while Ryan and his dad are flesh and blood beings. The last conversation also holds emotional weight, as Ryan’s suffered under his father’s thumb and finally has a chance to call him out on his actions.

Perhaps the most interesting mystery, other than Ellie’s origin and the Comics Creator Killer’s motive, is the identity of the mysterious narrator. How can he see the future? How did his vision of said future change? And is changing the future a good or bad thing? While I’m not sure if these questions will be answered in this arc, the fact that the creators have chosen to raise them is exciting. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a look at the mystery narrator sooner or later. If the creators play their cards right, this series could turn into a metanarrative echoing or potentially rivaling Grant Morrisson’s Doom Patrol.

Crossover #9 continues to unravel the mystery of the Comics Creator Killer while also diving into the deeper implications of comic book characters spilling into the real world. With the issue ending on another murder and a huge clue concerning the Killer, the mystery has only deepened, which only stokes my interest in the eventual reveal. And with how well the creative team has been doing, I expect the reveal to be mind-blowing and satisfying.

Crossover #9 is available wherever comics are sold.