Lynx #5 - G-Man Comics

LYNX No. 5, August 2024

Tackling the rather enthralling (and arguably disconcerting) question as to whether a known child killer should “face the justice system or street justice”, Rik Offenberger’s narrative for Issue Five of “Lynx” quite understandably contains some deadly serious set-pieces. True, the American author does inject this comic with the occasional moment of humour, such as when Mateo Martinez wishes he owned an actual ‘Lynxmobile’ with which to drive into action. But the central theme ensures that much of what takes place within its twenty-pages is delivered with plenty of gravitas and solemnity.

For openers, the relationship between the colourfully-costumed Federal Agents and Police Department appears to be as prickly as a reader might expect, especially when the titular characters are authorised to take over a local officer’s investigation. This tension is so well-written its palpability quite literally leaps off the printed panels, and it should come as absolutely no surprise to the audience that the disheartened cop turns to some distinctly shady help in order to rectify the situation; “Mascaras Asesino is killing kids in the neighbourhood and you’re drinking coffee. I don’t want your money, and we aren’t friends.”

Equally as well penned though is debatably the handling of Hombre Pinata, who considering is dressed like a walking, papier-mâché container crammed full of sweets, is completely convincing as the resident vigilante who is determined to ensure that Columbia Height’s latest mass-murderer doesn’t slaughter any other adolescents. In fact, Jorge Pérez’s colourfully-costumed alter-ego, and his no-nonsense ‘rule of law’ will doubtless resonate with many a bibliophile whose own faith in their judicial system has taken a bit of a battering.

Undeniably doing their part to help Offenberger sell the sheer brutality of “Retribution” are Alan Faria and colorist Teo Pinheiro, who together provide this publication with plenty of beguiling visuals, including somehow imbuing the aforementioned Senor Pinata with all the physical heft of a genuine neighbourhood heavy. In addition, it will be difficult for some in this comic’s audience not to wince when Pérez attacks “the man who killed Ricardo Tapia’s daughter” with a barb-wired baseball bat, and quite literally puts the sports accessory right through Asesino’s torso.

The regular cover art to "LYNX" #5 by Alan Faria

Lynx #4 - G-Man Comics

LYNX No. 4, May 2024

Whilst Issue Four of “Lynx” may well carry the name of Mateo Martinez and Maya Santiago’s alter-egos across the top of its cover, Rik Offenberger’s script for “Broken Wing” is most definitely all about the enthralling origin story of Vencejo and Pollita. In fact, in many ways, the titular characters are arguably portrayed as the ‘bad guys’ in this book, due to the super-duo disconcertingly bringing the aforementioned unregistered vigilantes into custody; “Let him go and I’ll go into foster care. Don’t punish him.”

Equally as disturbing though, has to be the decidedly underhand behaviour of Director Jameson, who disagreeably uses the ‘father/daughter’ bond between his two current captives to his advantage. Both Vencejo and Pollita’s backstories are extremely heart-wrenching, and despite the minor becoming a crime-fighter at an incredibly young age, it is difficult not to have great sympathy for their predicament with the Authorities. Resultantly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s leader forcing Lynx to swear loyalty only to him if he’ll release his prisoners smacks of pure evil, and seemingly does not bode well for anyone concerned with the future of Washington DC's caped agent's programme.

Somewhat surprisingly given all these serious shenanigans, this twenty-page periodical also contains some genuinely laugh-out-moments, most notably the running gag of Mateo needing to get a “cup” after an enraged Pollita kicks him squarely in the nether regions. In addition, there’s some wonderful tongue-in-cheek fun to be found with this comic’s opening action sequence as the quite literal firebug Fuego realises he’s clearly bitten off more than he can chew by confronting Martinez, and weirdly attempts to take some moral high ground over the protagonist’s willingness to risk people’s lives simply to take the villain down.

Visually adding an incredible amount of ‘bang for your buck’ in this publication are Alan Faria’s layouts, which are absolutely crammed full of dynamic action – even when Ricardo Tapia is simply feeding his adolescent protégé at McTasty’s and discovers the homeless girl can’t yet read. The Brazilian illustrator also imbues the luchador Vencejo with all the aggressive angst an audience might expect from a man whose own beloved child was brutally murdered by cold-blooded racketeers, and this helps generate plenty of sympathy for the rogue vigilante when he’s later ambushed by the G-Men.

The regular cover art to "LYNX" #4 by Alan Faria