After the preachy Troublemakers #9, which wrapped an intriguing mystery around an almost disastrously awkward, out of touch warning about teen sex, Troublemakers #10 gets us back on track, and the comic is back to doing what it does best: tugging at the heartstrings.

Eleven year old Zach (aka Rebound) is skateboarding without the aid of his biofield, and he encounters another kid his age. Of course, as is the case when you’re eleven, the two boys become instant friends, but Zach is devastated to learn that his new buddy has leukaemia. What’s worse is that it’s so advanced that he has mere months to live at most. Zach is convinced that the tech geniuses at G&G, who genetically engineered him and the other super powered Troublemakers, must be able to find a cure for leukaemia and save his friend. Unfortunately, things aren’t quite that simple, despite the brainpower and technology the scientists at G&G have at their disposal.

As I mentioned, I was a bit disappointed with the way that Fabian Nicieza handled the script of issue #9, but, without the preaching this time, he does feel more at home with a simpler and, it must be said, more immediately tragic tale. That’s not to say that the last issue’s events aren’t still having an impact on Zach’s older sister, Christine (aka XL), which makes sense.

There’s already been some emotionally devastating events across the run of Troublemakers so far, but this issue may just take it to another level in that respect. Chuck Wojtkiewicz provides the art in this issue, and stays away from what can sometimes be cartoonish caricatures; that’s not to say that it’s ultra realistic in its approach, but it’s a bit more subdued in terms of its style this time, which is appropriate for the subject matter.

It’s a really good showcase for Zach’s character, and also highlights that the adults can come across as assholes, especially given their genetic achievements with the team of superpowered kids they collaborated to create.

Another good issue then, and we’re now over halfway through the entirety of Troublemakers at this point. Can it maintain this level of quality until the end? Stay tuned, as I’ll be covering the rest of the series soon!

You can buy Troublemakers #10 digitally from Amazon here.

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