Talon #13 Review

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Emanuel Simeoni
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 27, 2013

This is the End...Almost

Talon used to be my favorite book in the New 52.  That's why it pains me to have given it such bad reviews in the past bunch of months.  Unfortunately, after the excellent issue #7, things started going off the rails. Guillem March left and the art has been subpar since, but more importantly, James Tynion's story has been convoluted and uninteresting.  It seems as if he told the story he wanted to tell and has been trying to regain the magic ever since.  Well, issue #13 is here and I'm happy to say it is one of the better ones in many a month.

James Tynion sets a bunch of story lines on a crash course in this issue.  This is defiantly not new user friendly, but for those there from the beginning, things are starting to tie up.  Calvin and Casey are searching for Sarah.  Meanwhile, Sarah is being brainwashed by the Court.  Sebastian Clarke is trying to regain control of the Court from John Wycliffe and Felix Harmon wants to kill everyone and everything, especially Calvin.

Tynion does a pretty good job for the most part.  The battle between Calvin and the Butcher is a highlight. Felix is such a hulking figure that you can't help but be frightened by his power and fear for Calvin's life. However, the indoctrination of Sarah into the Court was ridiculous.  She goes from saying she misses her mommy to a few pages later demanding to kill Calvin herself.  I understand that Tynion is trying to tie things up by next issue, but this was just too rushed to be believable.

Another issue I've had for the last couple issues has been Emanuel Simeoni's art.  To say I'm not a fan is an understatement.  That being said, this issue isn't half bad.  Yes, Calvin's face looks strange and the Butcher's size changes from panel to panel, but some of the pages are the best he has done yet.  That may sound like a backhanded compliment, but take it for what it's worth.

Bits and Pieces:

Talon #13 is actually not a bad issue for long time readers.  James Tynion is leaving the book after next issue and he is doing his best to wrap up the numerous dangling threads left.  I actually am looking forward to next issue which is something I haven't said in months.

7.0/10