AfterShock Comics, Book Review, ComicBooks

GVN’s Talking Comics Review: [Spoilers] AfterShock Comics, ’Scouts Honor’ Issue 5 by David Pepose and Luca Casalanguida

Last Time

When last we left Scouts Honor, Kit’s secret had been discovered and she was left to die in the Badlands. However, she found her way to the Highway Men and educated them on the plot that some of their members and the Scoutmaster were conspiring together. To keep the conflict raging and give them a common enemy. Once this information was shared, Kit convinced them to join her to free the scout compound and the Badlands after that. So the die was cast and Kit and the Highwaymen went to face the Scoutmaster and her former best friend Dez. And quite possibly, their destinies.

The Switchblade

Speaking of Dez, he is up early and talking to his father. He is preparing to become a member of the Eagle Guard. Now that Kit is believed to be dead, Dez was the next one in line to take his place in that elite group. To honor that occasion, the Scoutmaster presented Dez with his Switchblade. A blazing sword that is provided to members of the Eagle Guard to help fulfill Dr. Hancock’s first law. Dez is honored by its presentation to him and has no words. His father, ever being the nurturing parent, tells him that silence is best, because Dez had not earned the sword. Not yet. Especially after allowing himself to be bested by a woman. Regardless, perhaps the sword would serve as a reminder for Dez to protect the Ranger Scout’s way of life at all costs.

But before he could add more, the alarms at the gates were sounding. The Highwaymen were attacking and at their head, Kit riding her newfound friend Tenderfoot the Hellspider.

Assault on the Scout Compound

As they approached, one of the sentry’s spied Kit and attempted to shoot her. Fortunately for Kit he missed and hit Webelo, her drone instead. Kit grabbed on to the drone as she continued toward her goal, the Eagle’s Nest. But as the fighting commenced, one person was determined to stop Kit. Her former best friend, Dez. He chased after her relentlessly as Kit did her best to evade while not hurting Dez. She still considered Dez a friend, he was just being lead astray by the Scoutmaster, his father.

Eventually, Dez gunned the engine of the Sandvulture he was riding and crashed into Tenderfoot, knocking them all to the ground. As Dez struggled to get up, he claimed that all Kit wanted to do was to tear their world apart. To tear their home apart. Kit slammed her bow into Dez’s face, knocking him unconscious. She left him explaining that “you can’t build a home on a lie.” The rest of her journey would be her’s alone. Tenderfoot was hurt so she left him to rest and made her way into the Eagle’s Nest. She approached the broadcast equipment and played for everyone Dr. Hancock’s last message. Why the Ranger Scouts were formed and how they had hoped it would turn out. Instead, they had just created a bigger problem and he paid the price at the hands of the Ranger Scouts.

Learning the Truth

As the crowd listened and watched this message, they began to cease hostilities. Kit had been successful. There would be peace between the Scouts and the Highwaymen. But before she could enjoy that victory, the Scoutmaster appeared and hit her from behind with Webelo. She had ruined everything. But he would destroy it all before he would let her win. As he stood to face her, his own Switchblade sword ablaze, more truths were revealed. What were these truths? Would Kit be able to defeat the Scoutmaster? C’mon…this is the final issue. Read it for yourself. Rest assured, the ending holds up to the high level that Creators David Pepose and Luca Casalanguida have established since Issue 1.

Thoughts

From the beginning, this was a well thought out and planned series. Part of that forethought showed in that Pepose never seemed to be rushing through the story despite its limited issues. He kept the tale moving in a steady pace, while giving the main characters a chance to breathe a bit. Ultimately, it made for a well told and satisfying finish and characters you could root for, or against. Sometimes, both. Accomplishing that in a five issue span is no small feat. But Scouts Honor made it happen. Between Pepose’s writing and Luca Casalanguida’s art, they produced a winner that Aftershock should be proud of. Of course, there is still room for more, if Pepose and Casalanguida should choose. Although that may all hinge on you the reader. What do you think? Should Scouts Honor see a Volume 2? Share your thoughts with us at GeekVibesNation.

Aftershocks’s Scouts Honor, Issue 5 can be found where all great comics are sold.

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Martin

Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.