I didn't see The Fast and the Furious, but I was subjected to the superficial flash that was the sequel. Dysart's script, fortunately, isn't nearly as empty-headed as that, but the story doesn't get me involved with these characters. They live in a world that's as alien as Mars to me. I think the creators are aiming for a younger, hipper crowd, and branching out to a new audience is a good idea. The question is, will they be able to reach them.
Seventeen-year-old Ame is the trusted go-between of one of the most powerful criminals in Los Angeles. She serves as his eyes, ears and arms in the city, and she represents him with cold, quiet efficiency. But when the sun sets, she is a different person altogether. She lets loose and drives in an underground racing circuit. Her two worlds collide, though, when a monstrous, yellow-skinned figure appears in an opposing driver's path.
This is not the Pop Mahn I remember from The Flash and Spyboy. His work is far less exaggerated here, and it boasts a gritty quality that's in keeping with the crime drama tone of the main plot of this issue and the supernatural elements that exist at the periphery. The art tells the story well and clearly, but there are few visuals that really grab the eye. The Demon's appearance at the end of the issue isn't nearly as dramatic as what's called for here. A splash page would have really made an impact.
I did enjoy the parallel between Ame and Jason Blood here. Just as Blood transforms into a creature from hell, Ame undergoes a less literal but still dramatic change when she sheds her reserved exterior to join her racing friends at the end of the day. There's also a contrast to be found in the parallel. While Blood changes into a chaotic, evil force that's difficult to contain, Ame changes from a strict criminal into a wild child who revels in the freedom and thrills provided by her souped-up engine. The problem with these comparisons, though, is that one needs to know Blood's history, needs to be aware of who and what Etrigan the Demon is. Dysart doesn't let new readers in on the significance of the Etrigan rhyme, and that might alienate some.
I liked what writer Joe Kelly did with Jason Blood in JLA: The Age of Obsidian, but what interested me about his take on the character was that he was formidable without his demonic other half. Instead of defining Blood by his curse, he presented him as an immortal magician with his feet planted firmly on the ground. Here, Blood is once again defined solely by his relationship with Etrigan, and though a new dynamic promises to arise here. The new spin on the title character seems like an obvious one, and I'm surprised it hasn't been explored before (I don't believe it has been, anyway).
Still, the story still fails to hold my attention, and the reason lies with the players in this drama. I find I don't care about these characters or the carnage that's about to enter their lives, and when the audience doesn't care, there's no suspense to keep the reader involved in the tale.
