Postal #4

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

Postal has been one of the surprise hit series that have come out recently. This marks the fourth issue and so far we have not been let down. There has been great consistency in this book and that has attributed to its success so far.

The writing duo of Bryan Hill and Matt Hawkins turn in another good issue. They paint this world where there are very few good guys and most characters are shades of gray. Hawkins and Hill give us more Maggie this issue, which is never a bad thing. They show us that she’s not just a pretty waitress in a café, but that she has her own goals. There are a few running story pieces this issue, but one of the most entertaining ones involves Mark not being heard. Even though he has Asperger’s, he is honestly one of the smartest people in the town because he sees what others do not. One thing that makes this a great series is how well the characters are handled. Mark has a great scene in the beginning of the issue where he lays in a hospital bed trying to tell the sheriff he knows who put him there. The sheriff pretty much ignores this, but Mark’s internal monologue obsesses over some flowers in the room. These are the little touches that Hill and Hawkins add that make this series so good.

The pencils are handled by Isaac Goodhart with colors by Betsy Gonia. The art in this series has been phenomenal, and this issue continues the trend. Isaac Goodhart really was a great find and he is definitely leaving a mark with this series. Goodhart’s panel selection is always a treat too. From the opening pages we get a flashback of when Mark was younger, but Goodhart draws it almost like a bird’s eye view for the page which makes it more interesting. There really aren’t any panels in this book that are a “miss” as Goodhart continues his streak of wonderful art. The colors are good as well, but this issue feels like it had a darker palette. There seemed to be more shading and the book in spots and it just felt colored a bit darker than previous issues.This isn’t a bad thing, just an observation.

Issue #4 of Postal is another good one, as usual. The writing team of Bryan Hill and Matt Hawkins continue to craft a well thought out and interesting story that continues to engage readers. You honestly couldn’t ask for better pencils on this book then what Isaac Goodhart provides. His work, along with Betsy Gonia give this series the exclamation point that puts it over the edge. Another great issue from a standout team.