Review by Frank Plowright

Lauren Greene has acquired a shape-shifting artificial intelligence that obviously responds to some needs, and can speak a few words, but they’re a long way from mutual understanding. In fact, it seems to get on better with her dog. Technology of that type, though, is very desirable and the company who developed it want it back. In Vol. 4 Lauren discovered she’d been tracked and Machine was damaged.

She suspects the person behind her troubles is an enforcer called Frank McRossiter, drawn by Von Allan with a bigger chin practically every volume. It’s already larger than Judge Dredd’s and is heading to Desperate Dan’s size. Rather cleverly, though, Frank is too manipulative for his own good, and Allan’s plotted a massive roadblock for him, which is just what Lauren needs.

Wolf’s Head continues to be a well drawn and plotted series with the emphasis on personalities. We’ve only just met Super Bob, seen on the cover, but the way Allan defines him means he’s understandable from the start. No ten page talks feature here, but if there’s a continuing fault with Wolf’s Head it’s Allan being unable to compress conversations to their essential points. What’s presented has the realism required by an ongoing drama, and they can be funny, but prolonging some scenes draws the suspense away from others.

The longer the volume continues the better the plot becomes, and if the conversations can be too long, Allan certainly doesn’t drag out the bigger picture. It’s concise, with the various elements needed slotting beautifully into place.

Wolf’s Head continues to be unpredictable and compelling, and new circumstances kick off Vol. 6.