After an explosive debut back in the summer of 2010, Nemesis asked, “What if Batman was the Joker?” Now Mark Millar is back to his usual shenanigans with Nemesis Reloaded, bringing chaos and utter destruction to Los Angeles. As he continues his crusade against the police force, he becomes even more depraved. Published by Image Comics, written by Millar with artwork from Jorge Jiménez, colors by Giovanna Niro, and lettered by Clem Robins, Nemesis Reloaded #3 invites readers to the Nemesis’ sadistic playground.
Nemesis Reloaded #3 finds the anti-hero freefalling with the newly appointed police chief in tow, causing panic amongst the city’s police and administration. Meanwhile, the rich are angry at the mayor as they scurry out of Los Angeles. The cops find the chief in the open water, chained to a buoy when Nemesis jumps onto their speedboat. He takes out the cops and ties them up as the boat slowly sinks, giving him enough time to reveal the reason behind his revenge on these hapless men. Disposing of his targets, Nemesis moves on to the next stage of his terrorism.
Action is the watchword in Nemesis Reloaded #3. Millar makes his anti-hero go through insurmountable odds like a hot knife through butter and subjects the audience to one over-the-top situation after another. While a lot happens in the issue, the progress made is minuscule compared to the mountains that Nemesis moves in this book alone. His narcissistic nature compels him to let the cops know why he is doing what’s he doing. With each of his actions, the tension rises as the other characters can only react to their worlds going up in flames. Nemesis Reloaded #3 gives a rare look into the underlying mystery, which is as puzzling as it is ridiculous.
Whether the Nemesis is jumping from a helicopter or throwing his escrima sticks around to break bones and teeth, the artwork provides the extra edge. Jorge Jiménez, who is no stranger to drawing caped crusaders, lets Nemesis reign free and unfold his brand of terror through his art while bringing out every fold and crease using intricate inking. Colorist Giovanna Niro uses red and blue tones from police sirens to create a thumping atmosphere as the alternating lights illuminate the bleak night sky. But the most exhilarating panels are cast in shades of orange and ochre, as they represent the burning city. Letterer Clem Robins lines up the dialogue well and makes the monologues contained within the panels, letting the onomatopoeia do the rest of the work.
Nemesis Reloaded #3 is a cycle of endless mayhem that overwhelms the reader in an instant. Like all of Millar’s tales, the book feels cinematic. There is hardly any moment where the issue stops and takes stock of the progression or has a meaningful depth in its narrative that adds layers to the anti-hero protagonist and his mission. The only look attempt it makes is a narrative device that aims to throw in Chekhov’s Gun when the finale is ready. Despite that, Nemesis Reloaded #3 is a wild entry in the series that shows the audacity and vulgarity of Nemesis in all its glory.