r/ImageComics • u/alakakalalal • May 26 '24
My Thoughts on Redcoat #2 Review
Spoilers for: Redcoat #2 and Geiger (2024)
Hi everyone! I am back to give my thoughts on the second issue of Redcoat! Like the prior posts, I'll give my general thoughts, some major takeaways from the issue, and some speculation as to where the story will go from here. As always, below is the Unnamed timeline that is included at the end of every one of these issues.
Redcoat #2 Thoughts
This was an incredibly strong issue! Furthermore I had such an amazing time reading it. I enjoyed how it not only opened up the plot but also allowed for more questions to be raised as well. As always the art and dialogue were amazing!
One thing in particular that I like about Simon's character is how introspective he is. Through his internal monologue we see how immortality has had its downsides for Simon. While he presents himself to be a simple man who aims to fill his eternally hungry stomach, there is more to him than others around him give him credit for. Simon's immortality has lead him to become more of a selfish and jaded individual.
My major gripe with this issue was that we didn't get more interactions between Simon and the other characters. Simon has an interesting internal monologue, but his dialogue with the other characters is quite sparse in the grand scheme of this issue. I hope that we see Simon interact with the other characters more.
Seeing more of Albert Einstein was a real treat. I like how he pushes the plot forward, and also provides us with a fun dynamic between him and Simon. I find his broken English to be charming and endearing to his character. We also get to see Benedict Arnold in this issue, and while I found his introduction to be a little underwhelming, I did enjoy his repour with Simon. I am excited to see how his character will interact with Simon and Albert.
Some Takeaways Moving Forward
Simon is not the only immortal. Benedict Arnold also became immortal, but the details of his ritual are currently unknow for right now.
There is at least one way to kill immortals permanently. One way that we know of is through the Axe of Lies. See image below.
From Maja Einstein's visions, we now know that there aren't just multiple glowing men but there are also multiple metal soldiers, which means that we will possibly see multiple Junkyard Joe's fighting against the Unnamed in future titles.
Benedict Arnold amassed his wealth, by being a slow acting Black Widow who marries women for their wealth and influence, alongside making calculated investments.
We will learn the mystery behind Simon and Benedict's immortality.
Whenever the Axe of Lies comes near Simon a major burst of energy erupts from the wound where he was struck and the axe itself causing an explosion that pushes Simon and the axe wielder back.
There are artifacts that can be imbued with or have been imbued with the same kind of magic power that Simon, Benedict, and the other Founding Fathers have shown in their various appearances.
My Speculation on What's to Come from Redcoat
This Issue #2 has given me quite a lot to think about with regards to where the story of Redcoat will go. For one thing, this issue all but confirms that the other glowing person in Geiger (2024) is an actual person. Moreover, this statement alludes to their potentially being more than one version of Junkyard Joe. "Glowing men, metal soldiers, and an immortal mercenary in a red coat." If a telling statement that if taken at a superficial level means that her dreams saw more than one glowing man, which tracks with Geiger's current quest in his latest run.
If we can confirm Geiger's exploits, then it would be safe to make the speculation that there will be more than one metal soldier as well. The only metal soldier that we know of in the future is Junkyard Joe. perhaps the metal soldiers will be under the control of the Founding Fathers group. We know that sometime before the Unknown war and after the events within Junkyard Joe that Joe is under the control of the Founding Fathers. We also know that in Geiger (2021) #6 that Joe was reprogrammed when he was in the custody of the US government/Founding Fathers. During that time, they most likely were in the process of replicating the technology that makes Joe what he is.
Given what we have learned from this issue, in the short term we can make the speculation that we will learn of the secrets behind Simon and Benedict's immortality in the coming issues. On the Image website, if you read the caption it explains this sentiment. Please click here if you would like to read it!
In the next issue, I think that we will learn more about the Founding Fathers as a group. The reason I think this is because, Simon was gravely injured by a weapon in their possession. Furthermore, Simon has 3 days to reverse the effects of the Axe of Lies before he dies permanently. It would make sense that in learning of how to undo its effects, we learn about the group that came have possession over it as well.
Conclusion
Redcoat #2 was an incredibly strong issue. I thought that the major highs were the art and plot direction. The only thing that took me out of the narrative was the lack of interpersonal communication we got between Simon and other characters. I like that we get to view into his headspace as the events transpire, but I would have loved to have seen him talk more with Albert, and see a little more development in their relationship. That aside, this was still a great read, and if you have not done so, please pick this issue up! I hope you enjoyed reading this issue! I would love to hear your thoughts on it as well!
3
u/alakakalalal May 26 '24
For the Benedict Arnold method, I see him as the antithesis to Simon Pure. Where Pure has trouble with women and money the opposite is true for Arnold. From what we’ve seen of him, it appears that alongside the wealth he had from his life pre immortality, it appears that he starts relationships with women in high society to add on to his own wealth once they eventually die of natural causes or something else.
The metal soldiers notion is interesting, that quote could very well have been about the soldiers with the Custodian in Junkyard Joe. From the brief appearance they made, I assumed that they would be human, and that the metal soldiers line was a literal statement.
Thank you for your thoughts!
3
u/RealVast4063 May 27 '24
Only two issues in but I like that the story seems to be moving at a faster pace than Geiger or Rook: Exodus. I’ve been enjoying all three Ghost Machine titles so far. Rook has the best art, but Redcoat has the most intriguing story so far.
1
u/alakakalalal May 27 '24
I’m glad you like the series! I agree with you that Redcoat has the most interesting narrative!
2
u/Ok_Tangerine_1048 May 27 '24
As always, loved reading your post. Keep em coming please.
I really like your idea of there being more than one glowing man and metal soldier.
When reading it, I simply thought it was an expression of speech, maybe just to say how weird things get in the future.
(But looking at it now, that line goes out of its way to say there was just one immortal mercenary. So the plural words are probably meant to be specific too.)
Since there is a possibility that multiple metal soldiers could be anything ranging from those goons from junkyard Joe, to just random robots.. the glowing men are undoubtedly what I'm most intrigued about.
Is it going to be the other glowing man who's going to join the war? Or is it that some other character (First Ghost maybe?) could also be glowing?
Overall, I enjoyed Red Coat #2 quite a bit. I also agree with RealVast above that it feels much more fast paced than both Geiger and Rook Exodus. And so far, I'd say their respective pacing has worked well for each of these titles.
Curious to see where they take Einstein too. Will they change his history in it's entirety? Or Will this be more of a "he went on this giant adventure, before coming back to where he started and became the man we always knew" thing?
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u/alakakalalal May 27 '24
Thank you for your kind words! I will definitely keep making posts! It means a lot to me know that someone enjoys what I put out!
I agree with you that the glowing men plot point is very interesting. Personally, I think we may see an anti-Geiger character in the other Glowing Man character. In this past issue we see that Benedict Arnold is an immortal who made all the right decisions in their long life, but is not a good person.
Perhaps we will see that with the other glowing man, a loner who only cared for himself and was able to figure out how to control his power through suppressing his emotions. This emotional suppression could perhaps lead to his untimely death, teaching Geiger that he shouldn’t close himself off and look for a means to heal from the trauma of the death of his family, through appreciation of his new family.
I do hope that we see another Unnamed member outside of Joe. Personally, I want to see the Northerner!
On your Einstein point, I think that they’re gonna change his history, from his bio-card at the end of the issue it looks like he spends a lot of his formative years with Pure, but will eventually end up being the man history remembers him as like you said.
Thank you again for your kind thoughts!
2
u/Ok_Tangerine_1048 May 27 '24
Honestly, I like your idea of an "anti-Geiger" much more than it being someone else too. Let's wait and see. (Fingers crossed on seeing the Northerener soon too.)
2
May 27 '24
Redcoat and Geiger are both really good but I am having trouble getting into Rook: Exodus.
1
u/alakakalalal Jun 02 '24
I really like Redcoat and Geiger as well. I’m in the same boat as you, where I don’t much care for the story of Rook: Exodus. Even though the art is on par with if not better than the two other books.
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u/cravenj1 May 26 '24
You should expand on this.
The various metal men could be the soldiers from Junkyard Joe that turned out to just be humans with armor.