Fishnets are common in the world of comics. From Bettie Page's pinups to the sexy outfits of such super-heroes as the Black Canary and Zatanna, the sexually charged visual of a leggy woman in fishnets is far from new territory. Incorporating fishnets into the very title, and the very name of the protagonist, is rather unusual, though. It certainly grabs one's attention, but it's not necessarily good attention. This awkwardly named super-hero title is a bizarre mix of traditional super-hero genre elements, myth and a soap-opera staple to arrive at what is definitely a unique property. The weirdness and extreme nature of the plot elements threaten to alienate the reader.
A woman awakens in a hospital bed with no memory of who she is or how she got there. The answers, which her doctor has decided she's not ready to hear, are even more unusual than the patient's amnesia. Jan Doe is actually Marcia Williams, except she's not. She's really Mark Williams, a man whose body was transformed into a female form after the soul of an ancient and powerful female warrior set up house and home alongside Williams's own spirit. Mark/Marcia is being hunted by an old enemy and an army of little bug-men. Man, Jane Doe could really use her memory right now, not to mention a full knowledge of her super-powers.
Yes, a gender-bending comic book about an amnesiac super-heroine named "Fishnet Angel." I swear I am not making this up. The plotting here, though coherent, is all over the place as well. There's a lot going on in the title character's world here, each element seemingly more fantastic and even ludicrous as the next. Still, I have togive writer Sean Jordan credit; he injects a lot of personality into the characters. The narration, in the memory-less hero/heroine's "voice," conveys the main character's confidence quite clearly. I'm also intrigued by the secrecy among the hospital staff when it comes to their unusual patient's treatment and education about who she is.
Dupras's line art is clear and capable, but it's also often inconsistent and awkward. The art isn't confusing, by any means, but the artist does need to polish his skills. He's achieved a nice level of detail, but he falls short of portraying the characters consistently from start to finish.
I'll give Sean Taylor credit for one thing: this is an accessible read. This first issue reads like the first chapter in the latest limited series featuring this character, not the character's first appearance altogether. Despite the over-the-top nature of the character's background, it' easy to delve into the story. But instead of a story about amnesia, pregnancy and an invading army of insectoids, I'd rather read about the difficult transition the main character has to make from being male to female. 4/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
