Review by Karl Verhoven

Bryan Hitch has provided rather the clever cover to this opening volume of Redcoat, as the eye is directed away from a matter revealing the series premise, one aspect of which is Geoff Johns’ nicely conceived phrase of “unknown truths behind the world as we know it”.

‘Redcoat’ was a term applied to British soldiers during the American War of Independence, due to their distinctive red tunics, and it’s one of them who ends up becoming immortal. This is after gatecrashing a ceremony intended to bestow supernatural abilities on the the USA’s founding fathers. Simon Pure, however, isn’t a naturally heroic type, introducing every chapter with the phrase “My name is Pure. Simon Pure. Though I’m anything but, as you’ll come to discover”. Over a century after learning he can defy all forms of death he’s still scrubbing around cheating and lying. Johns portrays him as bereft of conscience, with no intentions other than securing his next meal, but also not without charm and yet singularly inept at his chosen trade of paid assassin. His redemption begins in 1892 when meeting a young German lad named Albert Einstein who’s convinced the entire world is in danger.

A solid adventure set-up with potential is considerably enhanced by Bryan Hitch’s expansive art. His depiction of Pure is a consistently sly and devious man looking for opportunity, and he’s embedded in full feature period backgrounds. When Hitch draws a rich man’s study, it’s not just a few lines indicating wooden panels, but the full furnishings and decorations. Every page comes across as if it’s something Hitch is really enjoying as he creates it.

Pure may not live up to his name, but he’s a cut above this world’s only other immortal, an arrogant, crowing popinjay who has managed to secure a lavish life. He’s introduced continuing Johns’ theme of playing fast and loose with historical myths and personages, which allows for some funny totemistic repurposing of history, such as the Axe of Lies. The energetic young Einstein also drops into that category, as does the person who seems to be revealed as the villain of the piece.

Although it’s constantly mentioned, Pure being immortal can be forgotten with almost everything set in 1892, but a touching epilogue chapter reveals the greater potential of an immortal man. Johns could cut the word count, but this is a hugely enjoyable origin story that’s well sold hokum untapping what Pure can be. It’s followed up in American Icons.