Fatale: Death Chases Me
Writer by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips
Image Comics
Ed Brubaker has amassed a pretty diverse resume in writing a number of capes & tights titles.
But in my mind Brubaker is at his best in the gritty world of crime noir, with titles such as Criminal, one I am just now delving into. Sleeper is also on my to-read list.
So when I had a chance to jump into Fatale I did so with both feet.
This is less crime noir, and more noir with tinges of horror. We are not talking full-blown zombie hordes devouring cities, but there are things that hide in the shadows here, strange, dangerous and grisly things.
The story revolves around Jo, a gal with good looks and a charming smile. While both are going to attract men, it becomes clear pretty quickly her ability to turn men’s heads, and to have them bend to her wishes, goes well beyond that smile. It is the first hint of something supernatural going on.
From there the story weaves through the gritty world of reporters, dirty cops, cults and tentacle-faced demons.
Brubaker is an expert at weaving gritty-pulp-esque tales and Fatale: Death Chases Me (which collects issues #1-#5) of the regular series, is no exception.
Of course who, or what Jo is, is never revealed, nor what her power really is.
The demons are still shrouded in mystery too, as this is the starting point of a longer story, but there is a shorter story arch which wraps up in a shroud of blood by book’s end.
Sean Phillips, who is a regular partner for Brubaker, having worked together on Criminal, Sleeper, and The Fade Out, is absolutely fantastic at capturing the ‘feel’ of noir. His art seems to be happiest in the shadows of a dingy back alley. The perfect match for Brubaker’s words.
By now it might seem I am gushing a bit here, and that’s probably accurate. I am quickly coming to understand why the comic store I visit in Regina, Saskatchewan, has a Brubaker section. I went looking for Criminal and it was not in the alphabetical location you would expect it. Instead, turns out the store brass are Brubaker fans so they collected his various titles on one shelf. With Fatale I am understanding that decision more and more.
Great start to a series. Noir fans it is a must read.
Invisible Republic Vol #1
Written by Gabriel Hardman & Corinna Bechko
Art by Gabriel Hardman
Image Comics
A backwater world called Avalon is the setting for Invisible Republic, and anytime you head to space, it offers some interesting options in terms of storytelling.
In the case of Invisible Republic writers Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko don’t go too wild on the off-wrath aspect. The story could actually be set in some African country here on earth. That is because the story is an old one; that of politics and how it is often a dirty little sport.
Here a reporter gets his hands on some material that could blow the lid off things, (think a singular Bob Woodward or Carl Bernstein). A reporter as a main character is good (well at least when you are a journalist).
The story is one of intrigue as the reporter digs for the secrets behind the face of a revolution.
Hardman and Bechko are weaving a great story filled with the little details which are often lost in comics. I particularly like the details of the honey harvesters and apiarists. I appreciate trying to make a story ring true, since it cannot all be bombs, guns and chases.
Hardman also does the art here, and I like it. It has just enough detail, enough shadow, to really fit a foreign world. When they need the detail, like cleaning the homney from a hive frame, it is well-managed.
The result is a story with lots of depth, fine art, and one I have to highly recommend. Check it out.
