Postal #3

By Matt Hawkins, Bryan Hill, Isaac Goodhart and Betsy Gonia

Postal has been a bit of a sleeper hit with two issues that have both gone to 2nd printings. As we enter the third issue, expectations are pretty high and Hawkins and Hill need to deliver. The problem with a series that gets such a fast start is that it needs to continue to keep reader interest or it can fizzle out just as quickly. After this issue, it doesn’t seem like it will be fizzling anytime soon.

Bryan Hill and Matt Hawkins have been crafting some good characters in their town, but in Postal #3, we get to see some outsiders. The writing duo continues to excel with the internal monologue Mark has. He’s spot on and so are his little ticks, like noticing how someone’s tone of voice can signify that they don’t mean what they say. Maggie is also given a little more back story, which explains why she is in Eden. Hill and Hawkins make her story believable and not too over the top, this adds to the realism of the series. As the plot thickens in this issue we are introduced to Mark’s father. This can only mean trouble for the town and also make for great reading.

The pencils this issue were handled by Isaac Goodhart with colors by Betsy Gonia. This seems to be becoming a habit, but the art this issue was excellent. Isaac Goodhart just knocks it out of the park with his smooth lines and his insane detail. The first page alone is great looking and it also gives us some images from the town of Eden. Goodhart really just kills it. We get some gritty lines and colors as Maggie tells how she came to Eden. Goodhart and Gonia are both effective in their different styles as we flash back to a darker time in Maggie’s life. Other than that, Betsy Gonia colors the issue brilliantly. Her colors absolutely enhance the pencils laid down by Goodhart. This is one of the most underrated art teams working in comics.

This issue was very good and it moved us along plot wise. Bryan Hill and Matt Hawkins are really doing a wonderful job on this series so far. The art by Goodhart and Gonia has been outstanding since the first issue and will hopefully continue as the series progresses. Postal may not be a book you’re familiar with, but it should be.