QUEEN & COUNTRY #10
Highly Recommended (9/10)
|
Oni Press
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Leandro Fernandez
Letters: John Dranksi
Editors: Jamie S. Rich & James Lucas Jones
Price: $2.95 US/$4.50 CAN |
How does one explore the humanity of people's whose jobs require them to set it aside? Greg Rucka has the answer to that question. It's been a few months, but we're all still quite aware of the high price that we can pay for a lack of vigilance, but here, Rucka explores the emotional toll a select few have to pay in order to keep us safe from danger, either real or simply potential.
Ed Kittering, Minder Three, undertakes a risky mission in northern Iraq... a mission that has a profound effect on his colleagues. Tara Chace, Minder Two, has recently become his lover, but the nature of their jobs keeps them from having a normal relationship... no matter how much her heart pushes her in that direction. Minder One fails to understand why their boss, Paul Crocker, has committed to the mission, but maybe, just maybe, Crocker has a better instinct for the gambling that goes hand-in-hand with the espionage business.
Fernandez's angular, exaggerated style continues to bring out the intensity of personality that these characters possess. His interpretation of Ed focuses on his boyish innocence, while Tom and Crocker both boast a weathered, tired look. The darkness that the artist brings to the book really brings out the tension and maturity of the story as well. And as for criticisms that Fernandez has focused too much on Tara as a blonde bombshell, it's clear here that the story is also exploring Tara's sexuality and the part of her that yearns to connect with another human being. That context makes Fernandez's portrayal of her far more palatable.
I think I get it. I think Queen & Country is a tragedy. Rucka is taking Tara Chace on an emotional roller-coaster ride, one that will ultimately tear her apart. For every victory that Tara achieves, there's a far more devastating failure. Her heart yearns for some sense of normalcy and happiness, while her brain reaches toward a greater purpose. The emotional tug-of-war is a no win situation.
Though primarily, this series is telling Tara's story, Crocker's is being told right along side it. He's a man who's latched onto the purpose above all else, and though he sacrificed in order to his job, he's frustrated by the politics that are getting in his way.
Email Don MacPherson comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.
|
