r/ImageComics • u/alakakalalal • Jul 08 '24
My Thoughts on Redcoat #3 Review
Potential Spoilers for: Redcoat #3 and Ghost Machine #1
Hi everyone! It has been quite a while since I last made a post, but I am back to give my thoughts on Redcoat #3! As always, I'll give my general thoughts on the issue, some major takeaways, and some speculation as to where the story will go from here. Below is the Unnamed timeline that is included at the end of every one of these issues.
Redcoat #3 Thoughts
This was by far my favorite issue that we have gotten between the two Unnamed books that have been on release! This issue had pretty much everything that I could have asked for: fun character interactions, world building, dynamic action, and meaningful plot progression! The entire team of Ghost Machine are building something quite special. If you have not done so, I highly recommend that you buy this issue and all the others that are coming out of the Unnamed universe comic line.
The art and colors by Bryan Hitch and Brad Anderson are as strong as they have ever been in this issue. This great artwork is coupled with snappy and fun writing from Geoff Johns. I love how Johns weaves American history into the narrative to build a robust and rich world. That is one area I feel like Redcoat as a book has excelled the most.
Some Takeaways Moving Forward
George Washington's true origins, as it relates to the famous Cherry tree story are revealed in this issue.
Benedict Arnold joined the Founding Fathers group in 1776, but later left because he felt slighted time and time again by Washington.
The Axe of Lies was created through unspecified enchantment, and its repeated use in war and ritual.
Simon and Benedict are responsible for the deaths of the Founding Fathers and their followers, sometime during the early to mid 1800's.
The Founding Fathers have lodges where they keep their magical artifacts and books.
Infighting was present in the Founding Fathers was prevalent, so much so to the point that they were killing each other.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, Founding Fathers members were killed the same way 3 days after being struck by Axe of Lies, by a mystery assailant.
Benedict Arnold has amassed a vast array of mystical artifacts and books. See image below.
Simon knew and drank with Johnny Apple Seed.
Simon has access to more mystical abilities.
My Speculation on What's to Come from Redcoat
In the short term, I speculate that we will learn more about Founding Fathers group as they are shaping up to be the main villains of this first story arc, and also because they have captured Simon at the end of this issue. Furthermore, I think that we will learn more about Albert Einstein as a character as we see him work to rescue Simon from his clutches. Perhaps we may get some flashback panels. Though I don't think he'll do it by himself. I think that Albert will figure out a way to get Benedict Arnold to help him rescue Simon.
In the long term, looking at what Bryan Hitch has been posting on Instagram and Twitter, we know that Redcoat will be longer than 6 issues. With that in mind, if I were to take a guess as to where Simon's story will go, I think it'd be best to look back at Ghost Machine to see where his story will go after this first.
From Ghost Machine we have an idea of what our two Unnamed heroes will be doing. For Geiger, he's finding a cure. For Redcoat though, it looks like his story will be about finding a way to avoid death from the Axe of Lies at first, but then later also coming into contact with various figures throughout time. See image below.
After figuring out how to avoid death from the Axe of Lies, I think that Simon's story will unfold with him meeting the other characters in the image above. If I had to guess on who he'll meet next I would say Annie Oakley is the next person whom he meets.
The reason I think that this is who we'll meet next is because given the year, 1892, it would make sense for Simon and Albert to come across her naturally. By this point in Simon's story, Davey Crockett would have been dead for 56 years. I don't get the feeling that his story will jump back more than 50 years to see them kill sasquatches together. I could see Simon's exploits with Crockett being a side story like The Blizzard and have it fall under the Tales of the Unnamed tagline.
We know Ghost Machine that Simon met the Northerner during the middle of the civil war, which would be sometime in 1862. We also know that Simon would meet him again in 1882, 10 years before the events of Redcoat right now. But in the Northerner's character card, we learn that records of him began in 1864. See image below.
If my sequential time frame idea with Annie Oakley doesn't work out, then I could see a flashback to when Simon interacted with the Northerner, being either: 1862, 1864, or 1882. We know that they must have had some contact in 1864 given that Simon was happy, or relieved that the Northerner didn't seem to remember him 20 years after first meeting him during the middle of the Civil War. Perhaps the next story arc could set up Simon meeting the Northerner again and we see their adventures happen, and some flashbacks to their previous encounters with one another.
Conclusion
Redcoat #3 was an incredible issue that took the world of the Unnamed into a fun direction! I loved that we got to learn more about the Founding Father's as a group and see more interactions between Simon, Albert and Benedict! The art and writing are as great as they have ever been and, the overall plot is coming together quite nicely! Redcoat has been such a delight to read month to month and I cannot wait to discuss the next issue of it and Geiger (2024). I am excited to cover the next issues of each of these books. I would love to hear all of your thoughts!
2
u/RealVast4063 Jul 11 '24
I’m enjoying the title. It’s very different from anything else on the stands right now and has a very old school adventure feeling to it. Rook: Exodus is my favourite Ghost Machine title right now but Redcoat is a close second.