Author Archives: Ashley Leckwold

Review: Heartthrob #2

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337905._SX640_QL80_TTD_It’s sort of inevitable that Heartthrob gets compared to Sex Criminals. The two books do feature around love and crime with a side of fantasy. However, issue #2 of the Oni Press series from Christopher Sebela, Robert Wilson IV and Nick Filardi pulls itself further away from these comparisons as we learn more about Callie and Mercer.

Callie’s story definitely started out as something you’d read in a book like something like Eat, Pray, Love. Where after years of living with a heart defect and getting the miracle surgery that may only give her “five good years,” she decides to go on adventure to really live life. Except that adventure is to learn how to be a criminal from her boyfriend who is the ghost of the man Callie’s heart transplant comes from. Romance and soul searching needs more crime anyway.

However, even then, the story isn’t so much about the crime as it is about Callie trying to figure out just who she is after getting a new heart and quitting her job. Full of enthusiasm and uncertainty, Sebela writes Callie as a character that is so ultimately relatable that even if you’re not a heart transplant patient or a natural criminal mastermind like she is, you still understand just what goes through her mind and her heart. This was a definite strength Sebela had writing Mali in the tragically cancelled Welcome Back and it’s nice to see it carry over to this book.

The cast expands a bit in this book as Callie and Mercer hire a woman named Scout and a man named Otto to be a part of their crew. The design for Scout, the getaway driver, is especially eye catching, with her short hair, aviator shades, and leisure suit. Much like Callie, I was thinking outloud of how cool she was from the outset of her introduction. This is where Wilson and Filardi work so well together. That, and just the overall feel of the book. It would be so easy for this book to slip into the pastiche of 1970s stereotypes in terms of appearance, but Wilson and Filardi keep it organic.

Even with this new cast of characters working in, Callie and Mercer are still at the heart of it as their relationship blooms with all the weirdness, crime and mental uses of ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac that comes with it.

Of course, most good love stories end somehow and we might just be seeing the end of it play out a bit in the last page of the story. The chain does break when you’re no longer in the shadows, it appears.

As Heartthrob #2 expands the universe it lives in, we start to understand just what goes through Callie’s mind as she turns to a life of love and crime. Even in the strangest of circumstances, her story is one that any reader can understand on a personal level. Between Sebela’s heartfelt writing as Callie learns the ropes of the criminal life and the gorgeous 70s artwork from Wilson and Filardi, Heartthrob #2 is about the strength of the heart just as much as it is about vulnerability.

Story: Christopher Sebela Art: Robert Wilson IV and Nick Filardi
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.25 Recommendation: Buy

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Another Castle #2

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ACASTLE-#2-MARKETING_ONI-PRESS_PREVIEW-1The subtitle to this issue of Another Castle could easily be “Misty is right about everything and also feelings.”

In #2, Pete the Dashing is on his way to Grimoire, but has to fight through Badlug’s monsters to get there. Unfortunately for his handsome (according to Gorga, at least) self, he’s kind of terrible at using Leveler and will probably end up dead if he isn’t careful. For both his and Misty’s sake, Misty can’t have that, so she tries to use her “royal privilege” to buy his safety from the monster boss Mrs. Vasilisc. It sort of works… Sort of. Never make deals with people in bars, kids.

However, Vasilisc’s refusal to slay the final beast on the trail leads to Misty and Golga making a deal with an old witch named Zurrd of the Sisters Strang, who can see into the past and agrees to help Misty steal a jumping stone from The Dark Treasury.

At this point, it occurs to me that most of the characters we’ve met in this book so far have been women. We have the men in Misty’s father, Pete, Badlug and the adorable Fogmoth, but nearly all the action in these past two issues has been carried out by women, both good and bad. This has been becoming a trend in fantasy comics as of late and I’m totally here for it.

However, it also doesn’t shy away from emotion. We see both Misty and her father cry in the middle of the issue and it isn’t shamed at all. It’s framed as a moment of resolve for the both of them rather than a moment of weakness. Paulina Ganucheau’s art in this moment is especially important, with the way she draws Misty’s determination through her tears and the king’s face being slightly red as he tries to prepare himself before addressing his people.

Of course, the issue has to leave off on one hell of a cliffhanger as Misty falls into danger trying to retrieve the jumping stone that she suddenly hears her father’s voice from and Zurrd appears to be cornered. The writing in those last few pages is particularly nailbiting, and if you’re anything like me, you’re going to be cursing writer Andrew Wheeler as you get to the last panel, wondering when the next issue is coming out.

Another Castle #2 continues strong after the first issue, showing just how capable and multifaceted Misty is as well as what is at stake for her and those closest to her. Wheeler expands past the basic concept of the book, showing us a little bit of what’s behind the curtain in Misty’s life and Ganucheau balances this well with her colorful and expressive art. Now, when is #3 coming out?

Story: Andrew Wheeler Art: Paulina Ganucheau
Story: 8.0 Art: 9.5 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Read

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Pretty Deadly #9

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PrettyDeadly_09-1Pretty Deadly #9 picks up where the previous issue left off with the same question on everyone’s tongue. “Good luck? Bad luck?”

Cyrus is dead, with dear Melvin and Theo not far behind, for that is the way of war. Alice faces off with Johnny Coyote and Ginny’s battle with the Reaper of War doesn’t seem to be going in her favor. In fact, it seems as if none of our reapers except War might make it out of this alive.

Emma Ríos and Jordie Bellaire stand out in this issue once again as the atmosphere takes a more grey tone as the action begins to die down on the battlefield. The red of War is still overwhelming and Bellaire does an amazing job in immersing the world in his color, but also finding subtle ways to tone it down from the last issue, mixing it in with grey and white as the revelation of the nature of the Reaper of War comes to light. The most striking part of this issue though is how Ríos uses the eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies that make up Big Alice to frame panels, and how even a mass of butterflies feels so incredibly detailed. That, and the way Bones Bunny and Butterfly act as shadow puppets in the beginning of the issue as Bunny retells the story of The Lucky Farner.

This issue in pace seems to move a lot faster than the issues before it. I’m not certain if it’s because of the story beats Kelly Sue Deconnick hits in this issue or because there’s a lot less battlefield movement this time, but it seems that #9 is zipping along to the inevitable conclusions of #10. It doesn’t mean that there still isn’t weight behind the actions though, especially when Cyrus’s soul confronts Fear right in the face, or as Alice and Ginny face their own mortality. It just seems like the story isn’t content to rest there too long. As it shouldn’t, since there’s still one issue left to finish the story.

Have our heroes hit a string of bad luck? Or has everything that happened here been a blessing in disguise? It’s hard to say now, but the penultimate issue of Pretty Deadly’s second arc doesn’t rest long to answer the question, but rather chooses to let the action play out. Whether fortune or folly, it’s all set up to go down here.

Story: Kelly Sue Deconnick Art: Emma Ríos and Jordie Bellaire
Story: 7.5 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Help Us! Great Warrior

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HelpUsGreatWarrior_TP_coverOne of the great things about the boom of comedy adventure stories for kids and magical girl inspired stories in the past few years is the way the two can be combined to tell an effective story that appeals to a wide audience. Steven Universe is the most prominent example of this, with the rebel warriors The Crystal Gems teaching half-human earthborn gem Steven how to be a warrior while he lets them see the Earth through his young eyes. However, there’s another great story along those lines coming out of BOOM! Studios titled Help Us! Great Warrior by Madeleine Flores and Trillian Gunn, which just had its trade paperback release this week.

Help Us! Great Warrior was initially a creation of Flores that existed only in short webcomic bites, many of which are featured in the back of the trade. Those stories were focused around a small creature named Great Warrior, who loves hot guys, snacks, and dancing on the corpses of her enemies. Luckily, the jump to a six issue limited series with an expansive plot and backstory for Great Warrior didn’t take away any of those characteristics for her. She’s still just as silly on a larger level, but now we get to know more about her.

The story of the series itself is focused around Great Warrior being asked by High Chancellor Hadiyah to stop demons from running rampant over the lands. However, Great Warrior doesn’t want to do it, insisting on staying with her villagers and having her best friend Leo take care of it instead. It initially comes across as laziness, but as the story unfolds more, the reasons behind Great Warrior’s hesitation become more clear. Though, knowing her, there probably is still a bit of laziness behind it.

One of the great things about Help Us! Great Warrior besides the way the story manages to stay effectively self-contained is how diverse it is. In an all ages story, all of the main characters are women with two of them being women of color. Hadiyah, a hijabi, is shown being in a position of power and respect and is even described as “the physical manifestation of good and purity in this land.” Leo, a trans woman, is a strong and noble warrior who also has an amazing pink undercut. The reveal of her being trans is also so subtle and really cleverly done, making jokes not at her expense, but at the struggles often experienced by trans people when they try to legally change their name. It’s so important for all ages stories to not only strive for diversity, but to flip the way people that are often turned into jokes are viewed in the story itself. Help Us, Great Warrior! does a fantastic job of showing these two important characters in a positive light and teaching the next generation of comic readers not to expect any one thing from particular persons.

Most of the work on this comic in writing, art and lettering is done by Flores, but the colors are done by Gunn. Flores’s very rounded and soft style brings a certain kind of excitement to the fast paced action scenes, and are complimented so well by Gunn’s soft colors. There’s no mistake that this book is “girly” in aesthetic, but it never compromises on that for knocking the action down a peg. In fact, it makes the more action-y scenes even more refreshing to see magical girl lenses applied to sword and sorcery. Even the end of the book feels like that, with a great and noble sacrifice usually seen in high fantasy seen through a “softer” lens. Nobody dies. They just take a long, warm and well-deserved nap.

If you’re a fan of adventure and magical girls, Help Us! Great Warrior may be your kind of book. The plot is one every fantasy fan has read before, but the characters that populate the universe created by Flores and Gunn are absolute cuties and never feel like one note in the short time we get to spend with them. The soft and rounded style and silly and touching humor added in with that make this book an absolute treat for the eyes and soul. Give it a look if you have a little warrior in your life or just need to get in touch with your inner one.

Story: Madeleine Flores Art: Madeleine Flores and Trillian Gunn
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Rat Queens #15

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RatQueens_15-1When the solicitation for Rat Queens #16 went out and showed a cover of the Queens without Hannah, the speculation went wild amongst comic readers about what was happening to everyone’s favorite rockabilly elf mage in issue #15. Was she going to die? Was she getting kicked out? Was she going missing?

Well, the good news is that it was none of those things happen in #15, but the bad news is that it somehow managed to be way worse emotionally.

The third arc of Rat Queens, aptly titled “Demons,” has been less action packed than the previous “The Far Reaching Tentacles of N’rygoth” arc, but for good reason. Taking more of a focus on the pasts of the Queens with a specific focus on Hannah, it allowed for the buildup and the blow up of this issue perfectly as Hannah reveals why she was kicked out of Mage University in the first place. Instead of a big battle like the one in Palisade, instead the climax is an argument amongst best friends that leads to misunderstandings and irreparable damage.

And actual deals with demons. It’s still a fantasy comic, after all.

Part of what makes Rat Queens a special comic is how natural the friendship between the four main characters felt and how much it drives a series filled with magic and monsters. For Kurtis Wiebe to write such an intense argument between the Queens that ends with an arrest and Betty just giving up on any hope of getting Hannah back is somehow even more heartbreaking than if he had killed her outright. Even with a demon on the edges, tugging at the strings to prompt the argument, you’re under the impression that he wouldn’t have to really do that much. Sooner or later, this was all going to spill over for them.

The art team of Tess Fowler and Tamra Bonvillain have been the MVPs of this comic since they joined the comic back in issue #11. With a more kinetic approach to posture and expression with Fowler and Bonvillain’s dark and intense color palette, the shift to a more personal story ended up playing off super well in the art change and in spades in this particular issue. From the full-page splash of Hannah staring at herself in the mirror as she makes the decision that drives the rest of the issue and potentially the rest of her story to Betty sobbing as she tries to tell Hannah how much she loves her and wants her to stay with the group. It hurts so bad as someone following their story, but the team pulls off that pain wonderfully.

Speaking of Betty, a lot of this part of the story feels like hers as well. While Hannah has been the focal point for so much of it and for good reason, it’s still Betty who serves as the big heart of the Rat Queens and if I ever have to see her as sad as she is in this issue again when she watches Hannah get taken away, it’ll be too soon.

Rat Queens #15 isn’t a big, dramatic battle with noble sacrifices, but an all too real fallout between best friends that will have greater consequences for the series from here on out. It’s an effective gut punch of a climax that works with the way Wiebe has built the story up until this point. Mixed with Fowler’s heart wrenching art and Bonvillain’s colors and #15 becomes a perfect mix of personal tragedy.

Now that we know the fate of Hannah, the big question now isn’t what happens to her, but rather where does everyone go from here?

Story: Kurtis Wiebe Art: Tess Fowler and Tamra Bonvillain
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.25 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Jonesy #2

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Jonesy_002_A_MainIf the first issue didn’t prove it, Jonesy #2 just showed how much of a delightful story it is as it goes out of the school and into the town talent show as Jonesy works her dad’s donut shop when all she wants to do is watch the new Stuff video. When the Butt Brothers steal her zines though, she ends up forming an unlikely friendship with Susan to get them back.

This issue spoke to me on a spiritual level. Not only with the normalized queerness of Susan admitting she likes a girl named Nisha in her chemistry class and Jonesy no-selling the reaction to it, but with Jonesy admitting her secret crush is actually on Stuff, a pop star who pretends he’s an alien prince. Don’t feel too bad about that, Jonesy. I currently have a similar type crush on an Irish wrestler who acts like a demon about four or five times a year and I’ve been out of high school for a long time. Artist Caitlin Rose Boyle’s design of him is absolutely darling though, so it’s easy to see why Jonesy is so obsessed with him. Mickey Quinn’s similar coloring between him and Nisha is a nice touch as well. Not to mention the way Susan and Jonesy talk about their crushes is so cute and relatable, it’s kind of surprising to find out writer Sam Humphries wasn’t a teenage girl at one point.

However, it’s not all crushes and games as Jonesy gets her zines stolen and ends up hurting Susan’s feelings and disappointing her dad in the process of getting them back when she makes the Butt Brothers fall in love with Susan’s hat. As with the previous issue, #2 does a great job of showing that while Jonesy is an absolutely lovable protagonist, she’s not always a good person. While she makes great progress in becoming friends with her old enemy in this issue with the formation of the Secret Crush Investigation Squad, she still makes mistakes and thinks selfishly. The best thing about that though? She realizes that when she does, and apologizes accordingly. Even in two issues, we see so much character growth from Jonesy and it does a great job of showing younger readers that you can make up for your choices.

As Jonesy and Susan walk off into the sunset arm and arm, it’s obvious that its the start of a beautiful friendship. Though one that Principal Rosenfield is not happy about as she puts two and two together about the Carnation incident, the Butt Brothers, and Jonesy. Oh no.

Jonesy #2 keeps the pace of the first issue while still showing progress for both the characters of Jonesy and Susan as they turn from enemies to friends over the course of the issue. Along with the series normalizing queerness, it also is refreshing to see a series lead by two young women of color without ever resorting to stereotypes and to see such a realistic and fun take on teenage crushes. The art is still gorgeous and on point, especially with the way Quinn gets to expand the color palette from the first issue in really bright and exciting ways. Humphries, Boyle and Quinn have real magic with the series, and I’m not just saying that because of Jonesy’s powers.

Story: Sam Humphries Art: Caitlin Rose Boyle and Mickey Quinn
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Vampirella #1

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JAN161313Even without familiarity with her character, Vampirella always feels like one of those characters who’s just always been around. With her ubiquitous red bathing suit costume that puts Carol Danvers’ old black one to shame and a wildly complicated and retconned backstory, Vampi is just one of those characters that feels like she’s been there forever and will always be there. Despite this fact though, she hasn’t had a major story come out in years. The closest was probably the 2014 miniseries that crossed her over with fellow cult character and hostess Dawn, but that one was plagued by delays and mixed to negative reviews. Ironic, considering the fact writer and artist Joseph Michael Linsner once claimed he could have gotten rich doing Vampirella comics in the 90s.

The newest Vampirella series by Kate Leth, Eman Casallos, and Valentina Pinto doesn’t focus on her backstory, but rather updating her character for 2016 while focusing on her history as a monster hunter over her status as a sex symbol.

This isn’t to say that the book isn’t sexy though. It’s plenty sexy, in fact. While the new costume created by Nicola Scott takes centerstage on the cover and on Vampirella’s first excursion in Hollywood, there is one appearance of the old costume in a masterfully use scene as Vampi prepares to “settle in” for the night with her boyfriend Tristan but is soon attacked by a monster in her new home, which prompts her to shout “Didn’t you see the sock on the door?!” Leth has always been a writer with a great sense of humor, and it’s nice to see that humor at work still in a book that is decidedly not all-ages. Casallos is a good balance for Leth in this case, giving the book an appropriately gothic and sexy look without it slipping into T&A territory. In fact, the best panels he draws of Vampi are actually when she’s just woken up, looking rather annoyed at her butler Coleridge and when she delicately slips a martini olive into her mouth. It’s these moments that make her less of a Sex Symbol™ and more of a character who owns her sexiness, which might just make her all the more alluring.

Of course, it isn’t all fun and sexy games after Vampi gets her picture taken by someone in the bushes of her own home and becomes a viral sensation overnight. Now along with hunting monsters and trying to find a woman named Slade who is killing off innocent actors, she now has to deal with unwanted fame. Enter Juliette Court, a “spooky and strange and altogether too alluring” social media manager interested in representing Vampi. It seems as if her intentions are not completely altruistic, but between her character design from Casallos, her deliberate shades of purple given by Pinto, and the way Leth writes her, she might just be the breakout character of the issue.

Deciding to keep it simple in story and cast, the first issue of the new Vampirella series from Dynamite Entertainment is a fun and sexy story that introduces a classic character to a new, modern audience. It’ll be interesting to see where the story of Vampirella as a viral media sensation goes, but the groundwork laid by Leth, Casallos and Pinto in this first issue make sure that it will not be boring in the least.

Story: Kate Leth Art: Eman Casallos and Valentina Pinto
Story: 9.0  Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Another Castle #1

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tumblr_inline_o10b0dKT021r2ab65_540Confession: I’m not much of a gamer. Well, a more casual one. I never really played Zelda or Mario growing up, so my attachment to the characters is more of an overall cultural one. I’ve spent more time playing Zelda in Super Smash Bros than traversing with Link across Hyrule.

It’s easy to imagine that a book titled Another Castle would be filled with gaming references, but the new Oni Press book by Andrew Wheeler and Paulina Ganucheau also has just as much in common with books like Princeless and shows like Adventure Time as it does with The Legend of Zelda.

The book follows Misty, the princess of the kingdom of Beldora. Ten years after the death of her mother at the hands of Lord Badlug the Terrible, Misty is expected to marry Prince Peter. However, despite her love of “dresses and carriage rides,” Misty is frustrated by the fact that seems to be it for her while princes like Peter get to command armies and battle monsters. Which is probably why she takes the opportunity to face Badlug face to face with a sword made from his soul and lets herself get kidnapped in the process.

Wheeler’s writing for Another Castle strikes a fine balance between establishing and action as well as funny and heartbreaking. Even with all we know about Misty so far is her headstrong nature, her resourcefulness, and just a bit of the sadness in her past, she feels like a character we’ve known for ages. One that you want to see succeed as she gets deeper into Badlug’s lair as she makes her own escape. The charming introductions of the characters of Gorga and Fogmoth also give the book a sense of atmosphere and the hope that maybe Misty will make actual friends on her journey.

Taking a turn for more high fantasy than magical girl in this story, Ganucheau’s art is still delightful as ever. With a certain video game colorfulness and expression, the characters and the world of Another Castle really do come to life under her pen. It’s especially complimentary to Misty, an admitted girly girl who also likes to fight, is looking for something beyond being the typical princess, and has to learn the more diplomatic parts of her position on the fly. Plus, there are little details that make the book extra fun on a second read, like one of Gorga’s hair snakes eating a scone after Misty knocks it away from Fogmoth. Not to mention the send up of Sheik towards the end of the issue.

If you’re intimidated by or are expecting a straight video game send up from Another Castle, you may be pleasantly surprised that while the first issue does have a fair amount of video game vibes, the story fits well along the line of women-centric fantasy comic books like Princeless, Princess Ugg and Rat Queens while still being its own thing. Wheeler and Ganucheau have created a bright and fun universe that is easy to get lost in and makes you root for your heroes right off the bat. No apologies here, the princess you seek is in Another Castle. 

Story: Andrew Wheeler Art: Paulina Ganucheau
Story: 8.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Faith #2

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STK695693Breathe a sigh of relief, everyone. The world’s new favorite superhero Zephyr is safe for now after the incident that closed the previous issue.

This issue of Faith seems a bit less excited, but that is because our titular heroine is beginning to understand what it means to be “a hero in the real world.” Though, there are still those brilliant and hilarious fantasy sequences illustrated by Marguerite Sauvage in the issue. The one with Faith telling off her ex Torque and inviting him to her wedding to generic movie star Chris Criswell was especially relatable. Sauvage also does a great job of making Faith look like the magical object of desire that she is in her own head, full of sparkles, bright colors and everyone remarking on how amazing she is. Which she definitely, one thousand percent is, but Sauvage’s playful style really does compliment the world in Faith’s head.

The real world is of course more complicated. On top of Faith feeling guilty for the house explosion that nearly killed a little girl, Faith is forced to review Torque’s new reality show by her boss after she falls asleep during a meeting. Having a hard time believing that her ex could waste his power like this, she decides to confront him directly.

Jody Houser’s writing in this issue overall is pretty heartbreaking, especially with the fate of Sam, but this scene in particular was a gut punch, with Torque simultaneously acting exactly in line with and the opposite of Faith’s expectations of him with his newly found fame. Part of what makes Faith such a great comic is how relatable it can be and while we may not have superpowers, we’ve all had that person who lets us down that we wish would be better. What makes it all the worse though is his new girlfriend making a vaguely fatphobic comment about her as she flies away, saying that Torque “really traded up” and Torque can only manage a meek “Shut up, Sidney” in return. Even with Faith out of earshot, that somehow hurts more than Torque letting her down.

Faith also attempts to stretch her reporting wings by trying to look into the disappearance of Sam, but it appears that whoever has Sam is watching her as well. Plus, it’s hard to be a good reporter when your boss is constantly undermining you and rewriting your articles. Between her actions and Francis Portela’s way of drawing her, Mimi could easily be the most despicable villain in any piece of literature since JK Rowling created Dolores Umbridge. However, the confrontation doesn’t happen in this issue because there’s yet another cliffhanger as those mysterious evil forces come looking for Faith.

While this issue is still getting into the harsher realities of being a hero, Faith still has a whole lot of heart. Between the nice little details of Sauvage and Portela’s art and the way Houser balances the happier and sadder sides of Faith’s character in writing, the Valiant mini-series is shaping up to be quite a standout as it hits the halfway mark.

Story: Jody Houser Art: Francis Portela, Marguerite Sauvage, and Andrew Dalhouse
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Sex Criminals #14

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SexCriminals_14-1Sex Criminals has always been one of those books that needs to be read a couple of times after purchasing. Usually to catch all the weird visual jokes that get placed in the backgrounds of panels. For the fourteenth issue subtitled “Ladies Please,” it’s to understand just how the disjointed nature of this issue works to its advantage.

The issue is mostly about Suzie and Myrtle. Myrtle is still having sex with Jon’s therapist to get information about him while Suzie and Jon start work at their new and crappy jobs. Jon is working as Ana’s research assistant while Suzie has started work in a new library. One day while sending dirty texts to Jon, Suzie makes some crass comments about Ana’s previous life as a porn star, which leads to a confrontation in The Quiet between the two of them.

Well, in the actual timeline of the story. In the timeline of the comic, we’re actually greeted with a fourth wall break as Matt Fraction struggles to write the scene and ends up calling Chip Zdarsky, asking for help.

From the sounds of it, a lot of this dialogue between the creators is taken directly from conversations the two had about the scene as it was originally planned to play out, with Suzie being judge-y of Ana, but Fraction has reservations of how this comes across. How it all ties back to how insidious and judgmental our culture is in regards to amount of sexual partners and sex workers, but how Ana isn’t exactly in the right either to act as if Suzie’s intentions with the library aren’t genuine. It’s complicated, clumsy, and it’s a bit revealing to see Fraction and Zdarsky hash it out like this.

On first pass, the scene is jarring in the middle of the story, especially after it jumps back into the story as a whole. Hysterical, especially with Chip drawing himself like a cokehead high on his own rising star simultaneously, but jarring. However, on a second read, after seeing how out of it Suzie has become, the outright statement of theme from our creators actually ties back into the story kind of brilliantly. It shows the kind of vulnerability that the series has been known for, especially in an issue where two of the characters are finding themselves in places they’re not sure they want to be in. The theme of the arc may be about “who gets to decide who’s a monster and who isn’t,” but a lot of this issue seems to be about being at a crossroads as well. Suzie isn’t into robbing banks with Jon anymore. Rach doesn’t know what to do about her relationship with Robert. Myrtle might be getting something else out of her relationship with Jon’s therapist. Matt can’t figure out how to write a scene. It all ties together in a strange sort of fashion.

Plus, the decision to “full-on Chuck Jones” the entire conversation and to play up the Zdarsky character super hard may be one of the funniest things this book has done.

If you’re having a hard time with the latest Sex Criminals at first pass, give it another read and see how it all ties together. What comes across as disjointed at first actually has a strange sort of clearness once the thread that ties it all together becomes clear. This book has always been about vulnerability and to see it upfront and hysterically done is kind of amazing.

Story: Matt Fraction Art: Chip Zdarsky
Story: 7.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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