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Men of Wrath 3 cover by Garney and Milla

Decoration Day

History is catching up with the Rath men.

Each issue of Men of Wrath has included an introduction via a historical family event. So far we have seen great-grandfather Isom Rath kill a man in cold blood, over some sheep. Next came grandfather Alford Rath, slaughtering his family in a rabies-induced episode. Then Monroe Rath killed his wife, only to be picked up by the police a short time later. In the present issue we have Ira and Rueben, duking it out.

One thing is certain, the Raths spill blood freely and easily. The squeamish reader would have stopped long ago at issue #1. This story is not a casual experience, but an intense and gutsy exploration of a cursed father and son relationship; one that is passed down through the generations of the Raths.

Men of Wrath #3 is on point for the series. It continues the mood, tone, and feel established previously by writer Jason Aaron and artist Ron Garney. This issue sees the creators push the boundary further as the battle between Rath men spills over onto holy ground. It was a nice touch to see the preacher raise his own gun to try and bring down Ira. Aaron certainly isn't holding back.

There is no Sacred Ground for the Raths

Garney's art is focused and sharp. The panel-to-panel transitions articulate a great storytelling dynamic that elevates the action without compromising on the flow of the narrative. The action shots used are a number of tried and true angles to set each panel in the right frame. The background colors from Matt Milla are simple, yet effective, so they don't detract from the main action in each panel. This combination of artistic devices draws in the reader, and before you know it the issue has come to an end and we have to wait until the next before the story can continue.

Issue #3 of the series seemed shorter than the others, although this is because the scene takes place mostly in one place. The action is quick, and given the above-mentioned approach from Garney this series is doing what a good drama should. It is uncompromising in its approach and establishes the reader in the story as he or she speeds through the pages hoping with each page that it will not be the last.

This is a very good series, and while this issue was not at the same height as the previous two, rest assured we are in extremely good hands as we hold out for the next issue.

Have you been keeping pace so far? What do you think of this series? Leave us a comment below or on Facebook or Twitter.