Motor Crush #8
Creators: Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, Babs Tarr
Colors: Heather Danforth
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Image Comics
Review by Greg Brothers
When I heard well over a year ago that the team behind what is often referred to as the Batgirl of Burnside was going to be doing a book for Image about motorcycle racing, I was all in. And, at almost a year later, Motor Crush #8 continues the streak of must-read issues. I guess that I gave away the verdict that you will find at the end, but read the review anyway.
Motor Crush #8 picks up right where #7 left off. We find out why Sullie is working for the Producers. As it turns out, he had assumed the motorcycle gangs had killed Dom, and he was trying to get revenge. Now that he knows she is alive he can not just walk away from the Producers as they have a way to make sure he obeys. The Producers become an even bigger threat in this issue. After Dom and Cal narrowly escape them, Dom reveals to Cal that she has to get more of the impossible-to-get Crush in order to survive.
Since the two-year jump after the break, Motor Crush has become less about racing and more about adventure. Motor Crush #8 really ramps up the sci-fi adventure side of the book. We are finding out more about Crush and how it is made. The reveal at the end will be quite shocking for long time readers. To me, that is what is one of the most enjoyable parts of the book: the call back to events and characters long thought forgotten.
Since the jump, Cat Ball has become a much bigger part of the series, and I love it. The comic relief, snark and attitude that Cat Ball provides throughout is perfect here. I would have liked to see Dom and Cal work together a little bit more as I thought they played off each other well.
As much as I am enjoying the story, the art is just as amazing. Motor Crush #8 continues the gorgeous art, and Tarr brings in some new wrinkles. The colors throughout with the bright pinks against the dark backgrounds feeds into the idea that we are somewhere in the future. One of the panels that just jumps off the page for me is when Dom pours the Crush into her motorcycle. The way that Tarr drew it gives the panel a 3D feel. The character designs are still on point. Although, I do feel as if Lola’s hair gets bigger with each issue. Finally, the panel layouts continue to really feed the movement of the book.
Verdict:
Buy it! Motor Crush #8 continues to be a must-read series. While we have gotten away from the motorcycle racing and gangs, the action has been amped up. The art draws you in, and the layout easily moves your eyes from one panel to another. Each issue continues building this world, while still providing enough answers to keep readers invested. If you are not reading this series, you are missing out.
