Graphic Clues
The average comic shop newby heads immediately for the “New Comics” section, because new is better, right? Veteran comic shop patrons head for the back issue bins, because they’re always on the lookout for that one issue that will complete a story, or a collection.
Some of the stories I’m reviewing this time will require looking through back issue bins, or finding independent-comics-friendly stores who either carry the issues or are willing to order them in trade paperback form. For the average reader, interested in the story, trade paperbacks are an excellent way to get a good read while saving a little coinage. Also, some stories are only available in trade paperback format, making this another area of your local comic shop you might want to explore.
Four Women
Homage Comics
Written by Sam Keith
Art by Sam Keith
To be completely honest, I am not a fan of Sam Keith’s artwork. Certainly when he is doing superhero stuff, it’s too exaggerated for my taste. In Four Women, however, the artwork is spot on.
Four Women was first published as a five-issue miniseries, which was later collected as a trade paperback. It is the story of four women who, while on a road trip, break down one night in an isolated area. When two men in a truck arrive with anything but help on their minds, the four women are forced to decide what they can endure, and what they are willing to do, both to survive and for each other. Four Women is more surreal than typical “crime fiction” stories, before the evening is done, both rape and murder have been committed at least once, and they have lasting consequences on the survivors.
In turns funny, thought-provoking, and outright numbing, Four Women is a real hit. It examines not only the risks we are willing to take for friendship, but also the risks we are unwilling to take, and how we deal with those risks afterward. Four Women is recommended.
Abel
AiT/PlanetLar
Written by William Harms
Art by Mark Bloodworth, cover by Brian Wood
Released as an original graphic novel, Abel is another tale containing both rape and murder. Set in World War II Nebraska, it tells the story of a young boy (John Vitosh) whose domineering older brother is first seen after killing John’s dog for fun. When John strikes an unlikely friendship with an Asian man (Mr. Mar), events are set in motion that look at racism, betrayal, and—eventually—murder. This is a story told without a false note. From the hardship of Nebraska farming life, to the sudden joy of money found, the reader fully understands and sympathizes with John. Which makes what happens later all the worse.
The sepia-toned artwork is perfect for this book. The line art is detailed, but not so complicated as to become muddy. The afterward, by Rachel Pollack, discusses the twin concepts of truth and concealment, and how they are used in this story. While I seldom believe that forwards or afterwards are important to a story (even though I usually read them, anyway), in this case the afterward adds a wealth of context.
Abel is highly recommended.
Other Things of Interest:
Last time I recommended the DC/Vertigo title, American Century. Since then, DC/Vertigo has announced that American Century will be ending its run with issue #27. While this means it won’t be too expensive to purchase the entire series in trade paperback, it does mean that recommendations have come too late. Goodbye, Harry, we’ll miss you.
Felon (Image Comics, Rucka/Clark/Snyder, 4 issues) began its run as a beautifully illustrated color comic telling the story of a felon just released from prison, intent on getting her cut from the job that put her away. It goes through three issues of tracking the money, discovering that it’s gone, and setting up another job. Interest was high. Felon #1 was becoming hard to find—and then the fourth issue appeared in black and white, on much lower grade paper. Which was too bad, because the story was interesting and the line art (even in the last issue) was good. Barring the production quality on the final issue, I’d really like to recommend this story. If the color work was completed, and it was packaged as a trade paperback, it would be worth picking up. As it is, though, finding all four issues of Felon may require some digging through back-issue bins, and opening up that final issue cannot help but alter the way you see the story.
If you read something good, that you’d like to see reviewed, don’t hesitate to drop me a note at Daniel@goldencitycomics.com. Until next time, good reading!