Summary

• Standstill #1 injects a genius sci-fi twist into the revenge genre, crafted by Lee Loughridge and Andrew Robinson.
• Ryker Ruel wields an experimental device that freezes time, leaving a bloody trail of vengeance across the world.
• The first issue of Standstill raises questions of trust and morality, setting up a compelling and mysterious series.

Warning: contains possible spoilers for StandStill #1!

Standstill #1, from on IDW’s Star Trek titles has earned him an Eisner nomination, turned his attention to writing with StandStill, a new eight-issue miniseries by Image Comics. Loughridge is ed by artist Andrew Robinson, and together the two have crafted an unforgettable first issue that is more than just a revenge story.

Standstill #1 is written by Lee Loughridge and drawn by Andrew Robinson. The issue opens in a seedy dive bar that is a hangout for bikers. A mysterious, Hawaiian-shirt wearing man provokes the bikers, but suddenly the man disappears–and the bikers turn up dead. The man leaves the bar, implying that someone has been avenged. As the first issue unfolds, fans learn the truth about this stranger–he has stolen an experimental device that can freeze time.

Armed with this fantastic weapon, the man, whose name is Ryker Ruel, leaves a blood-soaked trail across the world.

Standstill Breathes New Life Into the Revenge Genre

Standstill Explores the Grey Areas of Revenge

Standstill is another triumph for Image Comics, and is certain to continue Lee Loughridge’s rise in the field. Loughridge is currently known for his coloring work on Star Trek for IDW, Flash Gordon for Mad Cave Studios and a host of others. In addition, Standstill #1 is another feather in the cap for Andrew Robinson. Robinson has made a name for himself drawing covers and interiors for nearly every major comics' publisher. Standstill is their first collaboration, and kicks off with a super-sized first issue consisting of double-spread pages, creating a widescreen effect.

And this is befitting a story such as Standstill, which marries time travel with the action-revenge thriller. This genre is perpetually popular with audiences, but it has seen something of a resurgence in the past decade, thanks to films like John Wick. Standstill #1 does not concern itself, at least in the first issue, with Ryker’s motivations, but the implication is they are not entirely noble. Ryker’s revenge is taking many forms, not just murder, but other crimes as well, including dognapping. The mystery of Ryker will play out across Standstill’s eight issues.

Standstill Is An Excellent First Issue

Lee Loughridge and Andrew Robinson Knock It Out of the Park

Standstill shows the darkness inherent in the field, as readers continually question Ryker and his reasons for his one-man crusade.

Image Comics’ Standstill uses its science fiction elements to elevate its story above the rest of the revenge thriller genre. Standstill shows the darkness inherent in the field, as readers continually question Ryker and his reasons for his one-man crusade. Is Ryker a good person, out to avenge the down-trodden? Or is there something deeper, and far more disturbing, going on underneath? Standstill raises questions of trust, namely, how much can someone place in a person like Ryker Ruel? Standstill is loaded with mysteries and philosophical questions about the nature of revenge, making for a compelling first issue.

Standstill #1 is on sale August 21 from Image Comics!