You know how all parents and artists supposedly love their offspring, or so the story goes, and if it lets us sleep more soundly in our beds, then more power to it. So when your creator calls you “IMMORTAL, MERCENARY, KIND OF A TOOL,” this might be someone we’d like to meet. The Tool with a capital T of which we speak is Simon Pure. A British trooper, all-around rogue, and a bit of a bad boy, the misleadingly named Pure has led a fascinating life — or, more accurately, a series of long lives. Shrouded in mystery, his enigmatic nature is as intriguing as it is unsettling.
And so it begins
But what are the origins and extent of Simon’s and the clandestine cabal battle, and what does it all mean? Great question! So our story begins — In 1776, after an assassination attempt on General George Washington at the Battle of Trenton, there was a complication — yes, there’s always a complication. And it was there that Simon encountered hooded figures. Since that fateful day, Simon’s return has been marked by innumerable encounters with history’s most potent political legends.
History in the making, Book 1, Redcoat
Pure’s presence has shaped the course of history — well, his own history — as he’s always been an enthusiast known for rubbing elbows — and fists — with many people, really, a who’s who of the past in American history. The big (powdered) wigs — which, of course, since no party would be complete without them, include Pure’s frenemies ranging from Benedict Arnold to Albert Einstein, and many more — because, as it has been noted, the guy’s a tool, and he has a lot of friends, ex-friends, jilted lovers and stalking creditors. Everyone is a cad to ex-lovers; they run out on creditors and sell their talents — such as being literal mercenary soldiers — to the highest bidder with no hint of conscience or remorse.
The Pure at heart
When we put it like that, everyone’s dabbled in one or more of the above, but Simon Pure’s done all of them. And given several lifetimes, he just upped his game instead of changing his evil ways. With the opportunity to use his talents for good in his innumerable lifetimes since he became immortal, he has used his gifts and his time for his Pure ends. Yet there’s something likable about the Tool, err, the guy. And the Founding Fathers, well, they did start it all, right? So there is that. Come on, am I the only one here who roots for the anti-hero, the brilliant but misunderstood villain, the bewildered evil genius? The brother is Simon Pure, the epitome of the anti-hero.
The gang’s all here
And how does this gang, The Founding Fathers, plan to use Pure to destroy America? The plan may be just Pure genius! Simon intends to discover the designs of the mysterious cabal of Founding Fathers, even if it kills him — finally! The creatives from Ghost Machine comics bring Redcoat and Simon Pure to you. These include legendary comic talents such as Geoff Johns, writer; Bryan Hitch, illustrator; Andrew Currie, illustrator; Brad Anderson, colorist; and Rob Leigh, letterer.
As noted, “Redcoat mixes history and the unknown for a tantalizing start,” as AIPT wrote of the immortal Simon Pure and his quest.
Redcoat Trade Paperback Vol 1. This work collects REDCOAT #1–7, with additional material from GEIGER 80-PAGE GIANT
