Errand Boys #4 - Image Comics

ERRAND BOYS No. 4, January 2019

Featuring far less action-packed exploits than this mini-series’ preceding instalments, at least once Jace Tiberius Lopaz voluntarily surrenders himself to the intergalactic police that is, D.J. Kirkbride’s script for Issue Four of “Errand Boys” might have caused a few members of its 1,518 strong audience a moment of consternation as to just where his twenty-eight page plot was heading. Fortunately however, any such anxieties should soon have been forgotten once the court sentences the thirty-year old delivery man “to a one for ten incarcersleep” for ruining Moh Fud’s family heirloom and this comic focuses upon the early life the “hard-worn scoundrel” dreams he always wanted to have.

Indeed, the writer of “The Bigger Bang” manages to weave a truly enthralling spell with this publication, fleshing out many of Lopaz’s biggest regrets by penning the events as having a hugely positive result upon Jace’s existence, as opposed to the detrimental damage they caused him in the real world. As a result, the reader experiences the anguish the “lifelong solo act” experienced when his mother fell dangerously ill in hospital, but then blissful relief when he believes the expensive procedure needed to save her life is going to be paid for by his estranged father.

This intervention by the dad Jace clearly wishes he had had clearly then sets him up for “a whole different life”, with the two titular characters in particular enjoying a close, brotherly bond despite the seemingly inseparable duo being of dissimilar ages and having very different mothers. Lopaz’s relationship with his pop is also fascinatingly pleasant, due in large to the young human attending Upper Ebb University and achieving an educational qualification, courtesy of his moustached parent helping the graduate finance his scholarship.

Of course, this wonderful world instantly comes crashing down around Jace’s head once his incarcersleep ends, and the convicted felon realises he’s simply suffering from “some residual brain activity.” Prodigiously pencilled by Nikos Koutsis, who manages to sketch some delightful “Star Wars” Easter Eggs into the odd panel, this scene is passionately-parcelled full of raw, emotional heartache as Lopaz realises everything he remembers was a falsehood, and begs for his slightly inconsiderate custodians to keep him imprisoned; “I was… My life -- That life… Don’t wanna leave!”

Written by: D.J. Kirkbride, and Drawn & Colored by: Nikos Koutsis