In this issue, the Dean of Gore and Sadism, Garth Ennis attempts to develop characters, but it’s too little too late.  Crossed is Garth’s vehicle for portraying that, which was too deplorable for Preacher and too over the top for The Boys.

The “crossed” virus transforms people into psychotic cannibals with dirty mouths and overactive sexual appetites.  Unlike the typical zombie-like roamers, Garth Ennis’ undead rape, curse, steal, pillage, and bludgeon with horse penises.  The guy is actually called Horse Penis.

None of that is in this issue.  Not one infected haunts these pages.  While it is a welcomed respite from the depravity, this is an odd choice and just does not work.  Ennis attempts to provide depth to his band of survivors through conversations and self-reflection.  Even after reading this, I can’t name one character and I care even less about them.

The character exposition is out of place and awkwardly written.  Ennis should have been doing this from the start of the series if he wanted his survivors to be more than cannon fodder.

1 out of 5

Garth Ennis can be a sick bastard and he proves it in Crossed.  The story follows a band of survivors struggling to stay alive in a post-plague landscape.  The world’s population has been afflicted with a swiftly spreading sickness that marks its victims with a cross on their face.  The infected do unspeakable, and I mean unspeakable, acts of violence.

What pushed me over the edge this issue is not what these sick infected bastards did, but the deplorable actions of our survivors.  I am convinced that this is just a platform for Ennis to push the limits of depravity and amorality.  If you want a showcase of the sick and mentally disturbed, jump onboard. Personally, I’m not paying for it.

Crossed has given me one gift:  I am not as desensitized to violence as I thought I was.  I have limits and Garth crossed the line.

1 out of 5