GVN Talking Comics Review: Mad Cave Studios ‘Revolution 9’ Issue 1 By Mark London And Carlos Reno –“another submersive title from Mad Cave Studios”

Working with Geek Vibes Nation, I’ve consistently been entertained and often astonished by the output of Mad Cave Studios. Each release seems to delve into fresh and thrilling narratives, crafting characters that leave you craving more. Writer Mark London stands out in this regard. His recent series for Mad Cave, ‘Hunt. Kill. Repeat.’, seized my imagination and earned a spot in our ‘best of 2023‘ year-end list. His latest creation, Revolution 9 continues Mad Cave’s proud 10-year tradition.

Revolution 9

Revolution 9, in one form or fashion, has been around for centuries. Their work involved eliminating those who interfered with the “order” of things. At least as far as THEY saw it. To accomplish this, they recruited those who they felt they could train to accomplish their missions without questions. Whoever their target was, it was for the greater good for them to be eliminated. This has been the path since the beginning and there is no room for those without faith.

Revolution Velveteen 9, one of their recruits, now has different thoughts. She was indoctrinated into their order, taught their beliefs, and given the skills to carry out necessary tasks. Initially, she never questioned an assignment. Regardless of the reason, if her target needed to die, they died. Such was the way of the “order.” But a few incidents recently have given her pause. One was the death of her lover Cain. She was told that his demise was because of the path she had taken. People fear Revolution.  As for the other…

A Long-Lost Sister

Once, she had a twin sister. Together, they resided in an orphanage, finding solace in each other’s company. Their peace was disturbed when the guard known as the “Blue Man” began patrolling the orphanage. Known for harming the girls, his presence was a looming threat. Anticipating his eventual visit, they devised a plan. When he finally appeared, the sister who would be known as Velveteen took action. She eliminated the “Blue Man” before he could do them harm.

Soon afterwards, Velveteen’s sister was adopted, while she was not. It wasn’t until the head of the “order” came to recruit her that she left the orphanage. She never saw her sister again. Until one fateful night when she was given an assignment to kill a “human rights activist.” The target was destabilizing a situation that they were monitoring on the Russian border. Once again, Velveteen didn’t question. She carried out her assignment. Only then realizing that the “activist” had been her long-lost sister.

Questions of Faith

From that moment on, Velveteen had doubts. Questions of faith. Something that is discouraged by the order. Especially by the head of Revolution 9 training, Thorn. He expressed those concerns to Volta, the head of the 9. It was Volta who had taken Velveteen from the orphanage. Up until now, he has never had reason to regret her selection.

However, he acknowledged Thorn’s uncertainty with Velveteen and ordered him to give her the next assignment. A computer hacker had inadvertently found information about the order. Secrets that they would not like revealed. And while he had not done anything WITH that information, Volta knew it would only be a matter of time before he did. The man would need to be dealt with, and anything he had found destroyed. It was Velveteen’s job to see that done.

Own Revolution

But just in case, Volta wanted a backup sent. Someone’s whose faith had not been shaken. If Velveteen failed or deviated from the assignment, then it would be their job to eliminate both the target AND Velveteen. The question was, would Velveteen prove those concerns wrong? Or would she use her training against the order and begin her own “Revolution.”

Thoughts

Trust Mark London to capture the imagination once more, crafting an action-filled tale with a formidable female protagonist. “Revolution 9” plunges the reader into a world of intrigue and excitement from the outset, weaving together ancient myths, clandestine organizations, and political assassinations—all in the name of safeguarding the vulnerable, or at least that was the claim. All of this just adds to the reader’s investment as Revolution 9 backs up the present narrative with a deeply thought-out background story. No window-dressing here. Its action with a purpose, London style.

The Art of Revolution 9

Just as in Hunt. Kill. Repeat., Mark has surrounded himself with topnotch artistic talent. This time in the form of artist Carlos Reno. Carlos uses tight illustrations, dynamic action panels and a gorgeously drawn protagonist to get things off to a “bang.” Combined with the impressive color work of Jão Canola and letterist Dave Sharpe, Revolution 9 is a feast for the eyes and the start of another submersive title from Mad Cave Studios. And just think, this is only the opening salvo.

Mad Cave Studios Revolution 9 by Mark London, Carlos Reno, Jão Canola and Dave Sharpe hits stand on September 25th, where great comics are sold. You don’t want to miss this one.