‘Assassin’s Creed: Uprising #6’ Review
Written by Alex Paknadel, Dan Watters | Art by Jose Holder | Published by Titan Comics
I’ve ended up liking this book more than I initially thought I would do. Although not a total Assassin’s Creed fan boy I do have most the games, and enjoy pretty much all of them, and their strength has, for me, been their non-action approach. Although fighting is still a big part, stealth and sneakiness are even bigger. Assassin’s Creed: Uprising has not only taken the action approach, but double downed on it. That approach, which initially jarred a little, has started to work really well as it is combined with existing Assassins mythology, and new wrinkles such as the Black Cross and the new Assassins/Templar hybrid followers of Juno faction. The more these pieces come together, the better the book gets.
Last issue of course was mostly taken up with the attempts of the Templars and Assassins to work together against a common foe, as both sides realised they had traitors in their own ranks. Working together however, did not come easy. Otso Berg received something of a frosty reception in Assassins HQ it’s fair to say. Both sides need to secure the Piece of Eden, the Koh-I-Noor, that Juno wants, and Charlotte heads off into the Animus as ancestor Ignacio Cardona to try and locate it. Cardona was an Assassin during the Spanish Civil War but also a rebel against the Fascists. All interesting enough of course, but not as interesting as the photo that turns up in the modern day showing Cardona posing with Albert Bolden, the former Templar enforcer Black Cross.
We start this issue with Ignacio, and his fighters being sent a new helper from London, a fellow assassin called Nobby Clarke. Being an upper class English type, not really Ignacio’s idea of help at all, but just as we start to learn a little more about arrogant Nobby, Charlotte desyncs from the Animus. Still not fully fighting fit, she takes a little breather then launches straight back in. Unrest is still the order of the day in the Assassins camp, especially as the interrogation of traitor Guernica continues. Back with Ignacio we witness the breakdown of the Spanish anarchist/ communist alliance, and the splintering of even the Assassin cell Ignacio is a part of.
Although the Black Cross does reveal himself, it is little more than a cameo and a tale for another day. Of more importance is Nobby Clarke having the Koh-i-Noor, and Ignacio being able to unleash supernatural forces with it. Ignacio, though goaded on by the seemingly not very trustworthy Nobby Clarke, refuses to fully unleash its power, and passes out. In the present day that sends Charlotte into convulsions, and seemingly her imminent death.
Pace is never an issue with this book, and this issue raced past at break neck speed. Focusing almost exclusively on Ignacio it was decent enough, though we never really learnt much more than we already knew. Wasn’t as riveting a read as previous issues. Still fun though, always that. Jose Holder’s art was as scrappy and loose as ever. If you like that style of art you’ll love him, if you like cleaner, more defined art and layouts you’ll probably frown a lot. I’m in the middle. Don’t hate it, but not at the top of any ‘favourite artist’ lists either.
So last issues tease of a teaming up of the Assassins and Templars decades ago remains just that, a tease. The Ignacio storyline rumbled on, but hopefully we can return to the present, and the hardening of alliances and sides.
Things are hopefully about to get real, as they say.
***½ 3.5/5
