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FELON #1
Recommended (7/10)
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Image Comics/Top Cow Productions/Minotaur imprint
Writer: Greg Rucka
Pencils: Matthew Clark
Inks: Ray Snyder
Colors: Matt Nelson
Letters: Dreamer Design
Editor: Renae Geerlings
Price: $2.95 US CAN |
I've been anticipating this project ever since it was first announced. Getting a chance to see Rucka tackle non-super-hero crime fiction again in comics was too good to pass up, and Clark's sexy, detailed art promised to bring the tough title character to life. I found those strengths as expected, but I also found a couple of confusing scenes and an overemphasis of a premise that's easy to pick up on.
A woman named Cassiday is released from prison after serving five years for a heist. Upon her release, she sets out to find her former partners-in-crime, looking for her share of the take. She finds some scared little men and no cash. Fortunately, she's not empty-handed. She's got her wits. She's got her skills. And most importantly, she has her rage.
I first saw Matthew Clark's art on Wonder Woman a couple of years ago. It impressed with its level of detail. He captured the grace, culture and beauty of the title character wonderfully. Here, he has a much more grounded setting and characters to depict, but he still excels. He conveys the protagonist's seething anger and determination wonderfully. Unfortunately, a couple of scenes -- notably her confrontation with "Coop" -- were rather hard to follow. Clark doesn't show us all of the action.
I can't imagine what it would be like to maintain a focus on a single goal for five years like Cassiday does in this story. The problem is that the point is driven home time and time again. She wants her money. She wants her take. She wants her share. The dialogue comes off as repetitive. Sure, it's in keeping with the character's single-mindedness, but by the issue's end, I found it was growing a bit stale.
Nevertheless, Rucka's "heroine" is a fascinating character. Her strength of will is stunning, and I look forward to learning about the events in her life that shaped her spirit so. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching her work. The skill Rucka has instilled in her is impressive, and when using it, she also exudes a sense of honor and pride.
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