In “Executive Assistant: Assassins #8”, writer Vince Hernandez and penciller Jordan Gunderson bring the assassins from the Executive Assistant program together and with the way they all feel about each other it is no wonder this storyline is called “Executive Extinction.”
Based on a true story of highly trained women working for Chinese executives as personal assistants, bodyguards and sometimes assassins, Aspen Comics’ ongoing series about the women trained by this system continues to be a thrill to read.
The mysterious Mazutsu is hunting down the women of the Executive Assistant program. In his ruthlessness, he hired one of Executive Assistants to pursue the others. The assassin known as Rose has been dispatched to India to take out the assassin Lotus. What she finds is that beyond Lotus’ own skills there are three more of the assassins waiting to stop her with two more on the way.
By bringing seven of the deadliest women on the planet together, Hernandez creates the spark this issue needs to continue the epic “Executive Extinction” storyline. The assassins have shared many tragedies and triumphs together, but they are not close. They are pursuing their own agendas and if it suits them to work together they will but their shared pasts are not enough to put them on the same path.
Through various means of torture, explosions and hand to hand combat the women settle their differences all in the pursuit of Mazutsu. Just when they think they are getting close a new assassin makes her debut and throws a wrench in their plans. Ivy is the new assassin on the scene and is someone unknown to the other Executive Assistants but she knows plenty about them. What is her agenda and what role will she play?
Gunderson’s artwork enhances the excitement of the issue. The introduction of Ivy to the story is depicted beautifully. Through a cloud of smoke caused by the explosion she ignited, Ivy systematically takes out each of the assassins in front of her. Before any know what hits them she has countered their moves and reached her objective. The panels Gunderson draws show the action in fluid detail as the master assassin goes about her business.
The artwork of Gunderson, which is embellished by the digital inks of Mark Roslan and Charlie Mok with brilliant colors by Teodoro Gonzalez, keeps the story moving forward at all times.
“Executive Assistant: Assassins #8” is part three of the “Executive Extinction” storyline and Hernandez fills you in on all the details you need to get in on the action. With a large cast he gives each of the assassins space to develop showing what their motivations are. The art team of Gunderson, Roslan, Mok and Gonzalez combine to make this a stunning issue full of beautifully detailed action and suspense.
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