100 Bullets #95 - Vertigo

Synchronicity! The succinct order of events that lead to an inevitable conclusion. That's what this issue was all about. A series of events that bring about the release of 2 more soldiers. But, had anything been changed, or made different, the conclusion would've been altered and one, or both, would've survived. Azzarello and Risso have done it again. They've put out an issue that stands alone yet, with it's story, wraps up so many other plot threads. These guys are genius! I can't believe there's only 5 issues to go. This title is going to leave some huge shoes to fill on the comic racks. Anyways this entire issue takes place at the Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. Last issue, in his zeal to complete his job, Remi got both of his hands blown off. In the 3 days since then he's been knocked out and doesn't even know it yet. That is until he wakes up and finds Wiley waiting next to his bed. Right from the beginning I knew this guy was gonna be takin' out . . either by Wiley or by himself. But, one way or the other, I just knew this was going to be the end of Remi. What I didn't see right off the bat was the other factor that was playing into the mix. His brother came to town to see him. I assume Wiley called him. Anyways, he's on the way to the hospital from the airport when his taxi is cut off by a banger' on a crotch-rocket. He tells the driver to go after him. They catch up to the guy, and he shoots him off the bike, but then the driver looses control of the car and they crash. This leads him to being taken to the hospital and wheeled in as Remi and Wiley are standing on the roof, smoking, looking down. This leads Remi to making the comment that if he had the shot he'd take the guy out of his misery before the Doc's tried to stitch him back together. Wiley is distracted for a moment and, I'm guessing, Remi decides that while he can't hit him with a bullet he does have something else . . he jumps over the edge aiming himself for the gurney. On the final page of this book 2 things cross my mind. First I wonder if Remi realizes, or sees, that it's his brother before he his him. Secondly, with the look on Wiley's face, I'm wondering if he's thinking, "Heh! The guy just did my job for me." Because he definitely didn't look like he had any remorse. Oh yeah, and I was also thinking about the synchronicity of the whole thing. What a fantastic issue. The boys really outdid themselves with this one.