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The Forged returns for a new arc that takes the series in a new direction by blending the styles of the previous arcs in a fun way. The Forged #7 and #8 bring the frantic action of the first arc and the introspection of the second arc while also delivering some interesting character moments. The creative team of Greg Rucka, Eric Trautmann, and Mike Henderson do it by taking Victory off the board – so to speak.
The Forged #7
The Forged #7 gives us a few interesting insights regarding the two factions of the story; the most prominent is that, for the first time, we meet other Forged besides our squad and get to know them. In classic military style, there is a sense of playful rivalry and comradery between the squads. However, the different command styles of the leaders are where the issues come in.
Victory is much more lax with her team, treating them as equals and friends. Whereas Viper is very much by the book, she’s in charge, there is a mission, gets it done no matter the cost. Then you have Scythe who sits in the middle, being less friendly with her team than Vic but less rigid than Viper. These different command styles flare in this issue and get worse in The Forged #8 due to the loss of Vic making The Forged #7 and #8 work in tandem nicely. While this conflict could seem simplistic on the surface with clear stereotypes being used to distinguish the various squads, this is a clever narrative tool.
We — the readers — have become complacent with our squad, so to have them bump against these other squads puts them on edge, allowing us to see a side of them we haven’t before. The other insight The Forged #7 brings is with the Phobes. We got some insight into them at the tail end of the first arc, but The Forged #7 is attempting to deepen that understanding.
We know that they live in T-Space, which the Eternal Empire uses for faster-than-light travel, and they are frustrated with the pollution of their home. But now we get to see one of their structures in T-Space that has this oily organic look, which is speculated to be a bomb. They are highly dangerous, with T-Space they could attack anytime and anywhere and catch the Eternal Empire unawares. Yet they haven’t, the question is why?
The Forged #8
With the new insights given to us, The Forged #8 steps in to ramp up the tension and knock everyone off kilter. Crazy Jo has to take over for Victory and figure out how to be a leader when she hasn’t even been one. Davian has to deal with the machinations of his own people the Empress, and the Cassandra’s while keeping his head attached. In the end, Victory discovers something concerning behind the Phobes while presumed dead.
No one is having a good time, but it’s sure fun to read.
Davian’s attempt to navigate the politics is interesting because we — as the readers — know there is an issue inside the Cassandra’s but he only has partial information. On his command, Vic is lost in T-Space, something a Cassandra told him couldn’t happen and he knows will have repercussions with the Empress.
Vic’s walking a tightrope in The Forged #7 and #8 because at any second he could fall. This cold, efficient, and incredibly intimidating spymaster is put in a place where many of his targets end up. We even see him starting to succumb to the Cassandra’s natural allure. The chess master is now but a pawn and it’s fascinating to watch.
Crazy Jo’s situation is the most interesting because of the previous development; she is the squad’s resident hothead and clown. Crazy Jo’s idea of relaxation is to go to a local bar and pick a fight. This woman isn’t exactly what any would consider command material. If it wasn’t for Vic’s command style of let and let live, then it’s highly likely that Crazy Jo would have washed out even if she is a Forged. So when she is confronted by Viper and keeps her cool… this is where she surprises us.
It is only when Viper leaves that she loses her composure. She is mature despite what she seems, she only doesn’t appear that way due to the fact Vic allows her to be. She has to trade one mask for another and this will be so interesting to see progress.
The Forged #7 & #8 Take Us In A Unexpected Direction
The Forged #7 and #8 blend the stylistic elements of the previous arcs, offering an exploration of character dynamics that are both unexpected and delightful to witness.