Year: 2003 Writer: Trainor Houghton & Len Wein Artist: Claude St. Aubin Pencils: Claude St. Aubin Inker: Mostafa Moussa Colorist: Chris Chuckry & Blond Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Jason Levine Publisher: Penny-Farthing Press Website: http://www.pfpress.com Genre: Suspense Description of book: Act III : Self-Estrangement compiles all five issues of the third installment of Trainor Houghton’s epic mystery into a thrilling graphic novel of intrigue, violence, and corruption. This brilliant collection features over fifteen pages of bonus material, including a new backstory by Barbara Hambly, schematics of The Victorian’s hidden weapons by Langdon Foss, and new, original artwork by David Beck, Stephan Martinière, Ryan Woodward, and others. Price: $19.95
Review: So... wow. After two volumes of exposition and set-up for the big finale, we have a solid book of nothing but action. Now that the dominos have all been set up, it's time to watch them start to fall. Fortunately, not every question has been answered here, but the big reveal of "The Hat's" identity is in here. Frankly, I didn't see it coming - so points to Houghton and Wein there.
In addition to the gem of a plot, which truly rewarded anyone patient enough to pull together all of the disparate elements introduced in the first two volumes, this book also has a selection of bonus materials surplus to the original issues which are reproduced here. This includes a short story that fills us in on the past of as well as helps us to get more into the mind of The Hat.
I have to confess to being humbled at the sheer undertaking of this plot. This story was written for a patient reader and definitely makes it worth the time taken to absorb it fully.
Overall: 5 stars.
Alex Haas