Like Father, Like Daughter #5 - Short Fuse Media Group

LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER No. 5, June 2020

Arguably concentrating much more upon the disconcertingly dark origin story of Invulnerable than the super-hero’s blossoming relationship with his formerly estranged offspring, Kathryn Calamia’s script for Issue Five of “Like Father, Like Daughter” certainly provides plenty of hooks with which to ensnare this twenty-two page periodical’s audience. Indeed, perhaps this comic’s sole regret is that “Comic Uno” pens such an enthralling narrative, packed full of secret Soviet Union shenanigans, sleeper agents and duplicitous traitors that this publication’s shocking finale arrives all too soon; “Please. Don’t do this. Not now.”

Before this book’s ending however, there really is plenty to enjoy, most notably the shady dealings of a rather colourful-looking Russian undercover operative and the revelation that some of this comic’s supporting cast, such as the mysterious Agent 24, don’t have the two titular characters’ best interests at heart. In particular, the implication that Casey’s father might somehow be lured over to the socialist republic’s side is intriguingly chilling, especially when it becomes clear the Motherland might stoop to any lengths in order for their “perfect soldier” to help “the KGB… gain power again”, including using the super-strong powerhouse’s family against him.

Intermixed amongst all these cloak and dagger machinations, as well as a nice insight into just how quickly Casey’s feelings are growing for her isolated parent, is a well-paced action sequence where Invulnerable’s hidden residence is compromised by a gang of gas-mask wearing mercenaries. Already wounded from this title’s previous instalment, the costumed crime-fighter is forced to face the crack team of Soviet Special Forces wearing nothing more than his trunks, and yet still does a marvellous job of literally smacking the sickle-symbol wearing intruders about his Spartan abode with a flurry of kicks, throws and punches.

Adding an enormous amount of energy to this comic’s proceedings are Wayne A. Brown’s layouts, which impressively imbue each and every figure within this book with plenty of animated life. The aforementioned dapper Soviet spy sauntering down a park’s pathway towards his elderly contact whilst wearing a bright white suit is a great example of this dynamism. As is the way the penciller somehow manages to give all the conspiratorial Cold War operatives something akin to a disturbing, fanatical gleam in their eyes.

"Like Father, Like Daughter" #1-6 is currently available on "Kickstarter".

Written & Created by: Kathryn Calamia, Pencils & Inks by: Wayne A. Brown, and Colors by: David Aravena