Welcome to Mutant Street Blues, maybe NYPD Mutant would be a better analogy. Either way, this police drama, set in a mutant ghetto in New York, is a successful amalgam of genres. Though this first issue is a little heavy-handed, the climactic scene and the core premise, introduced in the closing scene, make for a riveting read. Hine's script examines the results of racism as opposed to overt acts themselves, and Yardin's detailed linework achieves a realistic quality that's in keeping with the down-to-earth nature of the story. I suspect a lot of readers will miss this title, though, as Marvel hasn't done much in the way of promotion. It's a shame, as it promises to be one of the strongest efforts to arise from the publisher's "X-Men Reload" event.
Izzy Ortega and Gus Kucharsky are uniformed cops with the New York Police Department, and they patrol one of the roughest and poorest parts of the city, dubbed District X by the NYPD. It's the ghetto where mutants live, where weirdness is as commonplace as drug abuse and violence. Officer Kucharsky isn't exactly thrilled with the assignment, whereas Ortega does his best to be a good cop. Attitudes and intentions aren't enough to protect them, though, when they respond to an unusual domestic disturbance call.
Yardin's art here reminds me of Chris (Ministry of Space) Weston's realism and detail, and to a lesser extent, the styles of Frank (New X-Men) Quitely and Gary (Avengers/Thunderbolts) Erskine. Despite a bright, daylight setting, he captures a harsh and dirty quality in the urban backdrop from which this series derives its title. He also captures a weirdness in the people who live there, but he never sacrifices their humanity in the process. He also brings out the surreal and tense emotions that dominate the issue's climax incredibly well, which really helps to drive home the unsettling tone of the scene.
The one aspect of the book that didn't quite sit well with was Kucharsky's overt racism and cruelty. It didn't ring true for me. Kucharsky would have to know there are consequences to the sorts of actions he takes here, to the words he utters. I think more subtle manifestations of his hatred would have worked better here. Still, the intensity of Kucharsky's rage makes for a creepy contrast with the chilling calm of his actions in the book's most important scene.
What really made this a fascinating read, I think, was the dichotomous nature of the woman the two cops are trying to protect. She is the victim, yes, but her tormentor is provent o be right as well. There are no bad guys in this scenario. Everyone, even the criminal perpetrator, is a victim. The reader is presented with a no-win situation. It makes for some strong writing and riveting reading.
