Top 10: Beyond the Farthest Precinct

Alan Moore is something of a tough act to follow, so accepting the invitation to carry on a series that he’s created, especially when it just happens to also be one of his better ones, is probably one of the tallest orders in comics. To his credit Di Filippo’s take over of Top 10 is a remarkable effort, grasping the batton from Moore and sprinting off down the track at full pelt without so much as a fumble.

Moving the action on five years gives Di Filippo the opportunity to bring in new characters and move aside those that he doesn’t like. For example, there’s trouble at the top of Precinct 10’s police force, with the mayor swearing in a harsh new Captain who’s a stickler for results through procedure. Some loose ends are tied here (though others are further developed), and some new personal complexities are thrown into the lives of the cops.

The most important thing however, is that Di Filippo has barely touched Moore’s winning formula, ensuring as much (if not more) attention is lavished on character development as on plot. It isn’t devoid of the latter but it almost plays second fiddle to the domestic issues.

Ordway has an act of his own to follow too, walking in the footsteps of Gene Ha. It’s another admirable effort though and what he lacks in Ha’s attention to architectural detail he makes up for in people – his scenes are always crammed with characters, many of whom will be more than recognisable to fans of other comics and popular culture.

So, with all our fears of a drop in quality well and truly quashed, all that’s left is to do is to sit back, relax, and continue to enjoy the Top 10 series, with or without Alan Moore.

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