By Don M. Ventura
Morning Glories #5
Image Comics
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Whether it is in movies, books, or television, I think some writers have a difficult time writing a really good bad guy who the viewer/reader can get behind hating. I always use the first appearance of Darth Vader in Star Wars as a shining example of badassery. Sure, Grand Moff Tarkin does the unthinkable and orders the destruction of Alderaan. However, the scene when Vader first appears and chokes the Rebel soldier as he interrogates him is, for my money, a truer scene of evilness.
It isn’t easy to relate to a villain who wipes out a city or planet, but there is something frightening about a bad guy who is willing to commit murder or inflict great suffering on a person, while an audience watches, and not show a sign of remorse for the gravity of his crime. It’s these smaller scenes of unconscionable acts that have always made my favorite villains.
Nick Spencer brings Mr. Gribbs to the forefront of the story in Morning Glories #5 and the instructor demonstrates that he is fully devoid of a moral compass—by normal human standards at least. Gribbs would beg to differ. This issue presents a long monologue by him in between the story’s action and we learn that he is one bad egg who is firm in his beliefs in the goals of Morning Glory Academy—a seemingly very nasty place.
But this is not the only reason that Morning Glories #5 was the best book published this week. Spencer continues to flesh out his well drawn characters and illustrates that their situation, while almost totally hopeless, is not totally hopeless. Especially for the Glories’ leader Casey, who exhibits her ability to think several steps ahead of her captors; this is not lost on Gribbs.
Spencer continues to pile on the mysteries, with zero resolution to the predicament these kids are in, and I have enjoyed this series for the writer’s topsy turvy approach to storytelling; it is reminiscent to the most confounding moments of Lost.
In last month’s issue, three of the Glories (Casey, Hunter, and Zoe) have gone rogue within the school grounds to rescue their captured friend Jade when Ike turns them in to Ms. Daramount. While Hunter causes a distraction, Casey and Zoe are on the run and eventually separated. The mysterious spirit that lobotomized a student in the first issue of the series beheads a guard and comes face to face with Zoe; she recognizes him and calls him David. That may be considered a hint of resolution in your book, but for me it’s just another head scratching moment—albeit an enjoyable one.
The Glories are eventually all rounded up and we learn that this was the plan the entire time. Casey and Zoe distracted the administration so that they could successfully free Jade which impresses Gribbs to no end. He admits to Casey that she is one of the most gifted of all of the students at Morning Glories Academy
To express the expendability of the lesser students on campus Gribbs chokes Jason, one of the Academy’s shining stars, right in front of Casey. The whole time Gribbs explains how he raised Jason since the student was five and that a similar fate might befall the other Glories should they fail to prove they are as invaluable as Casey. Jason struggles and cries until his lifeless body is slumped across Casey’s desk. That Gribbs is one evil dude.
Series artist Joes Eisma handles the artwork nicely as always. He draws a squirm-inducing scene as David (the spirit) slowly beheads the guard; the eyes hanging from their sockets was a nice touch.
Morning Glories #5 was an excellent example of Spencer’s ability to flesh out his characters. We learn that Casey and Briggs are both forces to be reckoned with, both of them have a strong will and determination that will make them formidable adversaries. I am eager to see their rivalry unfold over the course of the series.
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