VATICAN ASSASSIN #1

VATICAN ASSASSIN #1

WRITER: Mike Luoma

ART: Christian Navarro

Warning: Contains Spoilers

In the interest of full disclosure, I should say first that Mike Luoma writes for Cosmic Book News and has been with us from just about the start. Of course, I am still going to give Mike an honest review, whether good or bad, as I feel that will only help him in his future writing endeavors.

Having been raised a Catholic and read many conspiracy based Church books from the Dan Brown novels to the Holy Blood Holy Grail series of half-truths, even including the uber-controversial The Broken Cross by Piers Compton, I am no stranger to the Catholic Church being thought of as suspect. Coming from a parish where various cover-ups have occurred and knowing Mike’s own background with the Church has also peaked my interest in what Mike has to say with Vatican Assassin #1; add to that Mike and I have had a few personal discussions on the subject.

Mike introduces us to a story where the religions of our world have grown and expanded out to the satellites and planets of our solar system. Much like today, the various faiths are at odds, however with Vatican Assassin #1, on a much grander even "cosmic" scale. Being set in the future some hundred plus years, gives this a science fiction base which leads to a rather intriguing story with lots of questions to be pondered.

Vatican Assassin pit’s the “New Catholic Church” as they are called, against the Moslems who now reside on Mars, the Universal Islamic Nation (UIN). Both groups have agreed to come to the neutral based Moon for peace talks. However, political motivations are ever present as an assassination is ordered by the Catholics. An assassination which is made to make the Moslems look suspect and one which may lead to all out “interstellar warfare.”

Vatican Assassin #1 brings up many questions in regards to the Church, whether their true intentions are faith-based ie God decreed, or more political which would be Man’s intent. Not only are these questions brought up in the book, but are also an allegory for today’s world I believe.

As stated above, this book leaves you with many, many questions and curiosities of not only what is going to happen next (we are left hanging at the end with a possible major event to transpire), but what writer, Mike Luoma, is thinking as this is obviously reflects his own thoughts and feelings.

At times, I do feel it is a bit heavy on dialogue as I would like to get back to the science fiction action that we are teased with by artist Christian Navarro’s pretty cool renderings of space and buildings set on the moon. However, that could be fulfilled, as next issue seems to guarantee something major.

I do feel Vatican Assassin has a lot of potential as there are the makings of a well thought out sci-fi story here. I feel with a little more science fiction action and a bit less back and forth conversation, Vatican Assassin could be quite good. I look forward to reading next issue and to see what Mike does next.

With Vatican Assasin #1 we are given a thought provoking and intriguing, perhaps pseudo-religious adventure, mixed with science fiction action that will leave you longing for more and wondering what is to come next.

Discuss this in the CosmicBookNews.com's Forum!