Right from the opening pages of the first issue of Violent Love, it’s made quite apparent that this tale of eventual bank robbers and lovers Daisy Jane and Rock Bradley is greatly influenced by stories and films in the same genre; Dylan Todd’s striking designs connect with the cinematic aesthetic by having the creative team page look like it came right from the bottom of a movie poster. Though the influences aren’t even hidden all that well (Daisy seeing Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), Frank J. Barbiere and Victor Santos are definitely crafting something different and unique both in its method of storytelling and flow of visuals.

This second issue throttles forward into 1971 in New Mexico where Daisy has joined forces with a man named Charlie to rob banks. There is a great point of view splash page from the bank teller’s perspective, confronting the reader with Daisy’s green eyes, just slightly peeking out from her sunglasses, and a double-barreled shotgun held next to an open sack in her other hand. The images are paced out fast, flowing the narrative forward and knowing when to slow down and focus on the smaller, quieter moments. Santos does an excellent job at drawing attention to particular aspects within the frames, consistently utilizing the spaces effectively. He also uses color, or the lack thereof, to emphasize the importance of certain objects or actions. For example, when Daisy sits in the hotel room where she and Charlie just engaged in a hot and heavy game of extracurricular activities, her entire body is black as the eye is drawn to the muddled orange/red hat in her hands. The previous frame reminds the reader of its importance to her, also using the color red to deviate from the use of green to shift in time. This in effect not only deepens the impact of these kinds of moments and objects but also elevates and accentuates Santos’s ability as a visual storyteller.

Daisy has clearly changed from the first issue, becoming more and more reckless as the rage of her father’s death drives her to find the man who committed the murder: Johnny Nails. Barbiere’s script is fast and quick-witted, gets straight to the point and doesn’t make the language too flowery; this is a crime/romance story after all. Rock is also introduced in this issue, doing his best James Dean impression, exuberating calm, cool and collected…at least for now. Daisy and Rock’s first meeting is filled with slight jabs at one another but the primary focus still remains on Daisy’s mission to find Johnny. This mission is leading Daisy into some fairly precarious places and people, setting up the next issue with a very interesting situation for her.

Story: Frank J. Barbiere Art: Victor Santos Designs: Dylan Todd
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Image provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review