Comic of the Week: “DIE: Loaded” #7

It’s been more than a few weeks since our last Comic of the Week, but there’s a very good reason for that. No, it’s not that there were no comics worthy of a review – there are so many fantastic comics coming out these days, it’s hard to keep up with them all. Rather, it’s just that I came down with tendinitis, so I haven’t been able to write reviews for quite some time.

So with that out of the way, let’s return to the world of “DIE: Loaded,” written by Kieron Gillen, illustrated by Stephanie Hans, and lettered by Clayton Cowles. (Please note that this will involve spoilers for both this issue and the previous one.)

“DIE: Loaded” #7 starts the second story arc of the comic, and picks up after the shocking end of #6, with half the party dead after a sudden but inevitable betrayal. However, in the world of DIE, dead players still get to participate. The surviving characters, consisting of the POV character Sophie and Tommy (the elderly father of Matt, a central character from the previous “DIE” comic) have to pick up the pieces and figure out what to do next while their deceased companions are reanimated as flesh-eating Fallen.

This transformation doesn’t take the other characters out of the story or turn them into mindless monsters. Instead, they’re still active, but driven by rage and hunger while slowly losing themselves. This adds a new sense of urgency and tension to the story, as the only way Fallen can be returned to life is by killing (and eating) someone else, while also keeping the characters in the narrative as both central characters and ticking time bombs.

However, the need to address that problem turns this issue into a more emotionally impactful look at Tommy, who’s grappling with an issue far more real and frightening than any fantasy world or mystical monster. “DIE: Loaded” #7 is actually a character-driven story, where we get to know Tommy more.

Once we read those words, the entire issue is transformed. We’re taken through an emotional journey as Tommy recounts his slow realization that dementia is creeping in and his memories are drifting away. Even in the fantasy world of DIE, this becomes more terrifying than any Fallen or otherworldy monster. It’s real, and while every threat and monster in DIE is based on the characters’ own real-world struggles and anxieties, knowing this is a thing that can happen to any of us makes it hit all the harder.

Of course, writer Kieron Gillen still takes time for the other characters. We get to see more of Sophie’s traumas and anxieties manifest through a heckling elf, see her interact with more of the gods of DIE’s world, and enjoy a fun play on modern geek culture with fantasy characters cosplaying as humans. Everything connects together so seamlessly as it builds on the story and world, keeping us as readers engaged as we’re drawn further in to the setting and characters.

The artwork by Stephanie Hans remains superb. Her artwork has an etherial quality to it, emphasized by the watercolors and intentionally limited color pallets. Even moments where characters are talking are made all the more engaging by the lighting, colors, and composition, where practically every panel is a work of art unto itself.

The character designs are distinct and capture the characters’ personalities and powers, from the deities that Sophie barters with to the way Tommy’s outfit blends fantasy and cyberpunk elements. Heck, even the elf cosplaying as an IT guy is overflowing with important details, like the noticeable divide where his wig and skin meet, or the name badge that says “Hoo-Man.”

The use of shadows also makes certain characters or scenes stand out strongly, adding dramatic effect and atmosphere, while the colors set the mood perfectly. For instance, one tense scene relies primarily on shades of red against a black background. Not only is this visually striking, but the colors emphasize the emotion of the scene, adding to the sense of danger, anger, and anxiety.

The original “DIE” comic is a tough act to follow, telling a gripping and compelling story in exactly 20 issues. But “DIE: Loaded” continues to be an equally engaging sequel, constantly throwing new ideas and twists at us that deepen our understanding of the characters and the world of DIE. Suffice to say, the second arc of the “DIE: Loaded” story is off to a strong start.