Ragman by Ray Fawkes *Spoilers-Ahead*

Author's Note: I am an admitted comic book novice and Ragman is the 4th series I've ever started reading as it was being released. Other series that I am currently working on include: Doomsday Clock, Etrigan the Demon, Deadman, and Batman: White Knight. Expect reviews on those in the future! Thank you for reading!

My comics were purchased at The Amazing Comic Shop in Fairfax, VA 

Ragman
6-Issue Mini-Series by
Writer: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Inaki Miranda
Colorist: Eva De La Cruz
Letterer: Josh Reed

The story follows Rory Reagan as he copes with PTSD from his service through war. He deals with many demons, internal and external. Cursed with enchanted-evil Rags, all Hell breaks loose as Rory is haunted by the various ghosts of his past.

As the chaos ensues, Rory encounters possessed friends and many fighters in the war between Heaven and Hell...including Hell's Hitman Etrigan the Demon...

Cover by Guillem March 

ISSUE 1: In His Hands--The Souls of Humanity.

Issue 1 of Ray Fawkes' series opens with a 6-month flashback into a cave in the Israeli Desert. A group of soldiers explores the cave. The story cuts to present day following our protagonist, Rory Reagan living life and dealing with his triggers.

This issue is mainly about Rory dealing with his inner demons, it's beautifully written and well executed. He is shown hearing voices and thinks he is going insane. Then the enchanted rags come into play blindsiding him and tossing him into battle. When this happens, Rory begins to piece together what happened in the cave.

It is revealed that the voices he is hearing, are the voices of his friends who died in the cave. Their souls have become trapped in the rags.

This issue ends on a really awesome cliffhanger that keeps you wanting to read more.

Cover by Guillem March 

ISSUE 2: ...To Destroy the Suit of Souls!

This issue flips back and forth, one moment you're there in therapy with Rory and the next you're among the flames and demons with Ragman.

The colors and contrasting imagery really pop-off of the page and draw your attention in. The panels are like jump cuts in a movie/music video, they keep you guessing on the edge of your seat.

In the beginning, it is established that Rory is unconscious when the rags take over because he is having difficulty remembering what's going on and maintaining control.

This issue builds effectively upon the tension established in the first. This installment in this series ends with resolve and not an extreme cliffhanger.
While there is a great deal of action in this issue and some resolve in the ending, it is so clear that the real excitement is yet to come.

Cover by Guillem March & Rain Beredo 

ISSUE 3: Enter: The Demon.

Issue 3 is the one that I have been most excited to discuss because Etrigan the Demon is one of my favorite DC characters. When I picked this issue up and saw him, I was overcome with glee.

In issue 2 Rory's father is assumed dead and then issue 3 opens up to the reveal that he is still alive! After an emotional visit with his father Ragman is seen clearing out a city block of demons and Batwoman makes an appearance. She is inquiring as to what side Ragman plays for.

Following another brief flashback and another vividly drawn demon battle Etrigan the Demon arrives with his signature entrance, using rhyme.

"Sweet tableau, careful plans gone so awry! Error, destiny, it matters not why. Blood, tears, and hopes, debts dearly paid by man...are toothsome ecstasy...for Etrigan!"
Ragman and Etrigan form a partnership at the end. Ragman is unsure if he can trust the demon. But he can worry about trust later.

This was an awesome end to a climactic issue.

Cover by Guillem March & Rain Beredo

ISSUE 4: In a House of Madness--Trapped!

Picking up where we were left off in the last issue we open on Etrigan stalking the Ragman into the night. And the reader is introduced to another epic demon battle.

Etrigan is biding his time in order to achieve whatever goal he is after. Rory uses the rags to look into some unease feelings he's got going on. He realizes a friends family is in peril!

On his way to save them, Etrigan tries to stop Ragman fearing the trap awaiting him. His protests fell upon the deaf ears of the ferociously determined Ragman.

Another demon battle ensues, and this one is drawn in a different particularly unique style. So far in this series, the demon battles are illustrated with the heavy use of the colors red, orange, and yellow to translate the fires of hell.

This fight is illustrated primarily with a lavender shade, and the purple gives the battle a sense of mysticism. Ragman's eyes are yellow. The contrast of the yellow glow against the purple landscape really pops off of the page.
Rory had a vision of a family in peril, and that vision involved a child. The end reveals that the root the demon activity he's encountered is, in fact, the child.

Cover by Guillem March

ISSUE 5: At The Mercy of Those Tormented!

Rory's friend Frank's son Frank Jr is possessed. We open on the same mystical purple color, a scene of Ragman, the possessed child, and his mother. Frank Jr is furious. He's being manipulated to set a trap for Ragman. He is right where the demons want him when the trap is sprung.

This issue is pure chaos. There are more landscape images of demons, and there is far more hell involved in this issue than before.

The colors in this issue stay true to the earlier installments. The first issue sets the reader up for an emotionally rich and driven story. The story's strongest emotional-pull is at the end of issue 5.

The demon pulling the strings, Z'Dargill offers a deal to Ragman. Z'Dargill swears that when he gets his rags back, he will free all of the souls he has imprisoned.

Ragman's compatriots attempt to dissuade him from making such a bargain. They fear for the worst.

"Never strike a bargain with hell!"

Cover by Guillem March & Rain Beredo

ISSUE 6: The Ultimate Sacrifice!

This issue opens with a light. The first two panels are just that, a light. Which leads the reader to presume Rory's dead. He's surrounded by his fallen friends, the ones trapped within the rags.

Rory's friends are urging him to get back to work. The fight persists, he's been cheated! And then it is revealed that Z'Dargill freed no one! He is seen holding a lifeless Ragman body and battling Etrigan.

It comes to light that to defeat the demon, Ragman will have to expel all remaining energy in the rags. Which means his friend's souls will be lost. He is hesitant, having promised to save. They urge him to fight.

The final fight between Ragman and Z'Dargill is a visual marvel. Throughout you are shown that Rory's friend's souls are watching.

As Ragman is throwing the final blow, illustrated beautifully within it is the energy of the souls trapped in the rags.

Conclusion:

A thrilling finish to an incredible story. This series started as I was introducing myself to reading comics. I had never heard of Ragman until seeing him on Arrow(The CW). Liking the character on the show was enough to intrigue me to read about him.

Ray Fawkes wrote a very climactic storyline. The art by Inaki Miranda was visually chilling, and that partnered with the perfect coloring by Eva De La Cruz kept the eyes satisfied throughout. The three of them constructed the whole story into such a beautiful journey.