Though Pope's 100% is set in a sort of dark future with science-fiction overtones, the story is pure drama/crime stuff that would fit just fine into a modern setting. In the course of this first issue, the story ranges from a killer on the loose, a girl buying a gun for protection and a guy finding himself in possession of the diary of a girl that he is attracted to. While not completely mundane, these circumstances are normal enough to relate to, and the description of 100% as a "graphic movie" seems fitting, as it plays out with very cinematic relationships and pacing. In addition, the artwork is stunning, as you might expect, with Pope giving the black and white images more resonance than many artists can manage in full color.
Pope's story here is not one that contains a lot of flash or action, but it is entirely gripping nonetheless. His artwork is detailed and beautiful to look at, and when we get a close-up of a character, or the shot of someone about to open a package with a great flourish, or two friends walking down a crowded street, it's hard not to be captivated by the visuals. I think that color would only have hurt 100%, as the black and white, and gray tones by Lee Loughridge, gives room to see all of Pope's detailed work.
In addition, the detail that Pope puts into the work doesn't stop at the background, but it includes his designs for the characters. They all share certain traits that mark them as his work, with distinctive lips and facial structures and somewhat loose and open body proportions, but they are also each clearly an individual. There is no difficulty keeping track of the characters, even with Pope's penchant for silent storytelling.
What's even more impressive is how the story draws you in, despite a pacing that might charitably be called slow. All that really happens in this issue is an introduction to our cast and one of the girls buying a gun, but it's in the intricacies of relationships developing amidst all of these plot points that the real interest is to be found. It's not the end result of Kimberly buying a gun that interests me, it's the dirty and dangerous detail to be found in the actual gun buying, or the discussions she has with her friend about it. It's not that John has the diary that I find interesting, it's the reactions he has to it. Though Pope gives us some intriguing technobabble on the inside covers to indicate the future tech of this world, the meat of the story is in the personalities and how they interact, which is as universal as it gets.
I've read only a little bit of Paul Pope, but 100% makes me want to seek out more. The only thing keeping me from doing so is the high pricetag that has accompanied his DC work, and unfortunately 100% is no exception there. While the cardstock is beautiful, charging six dollars American for a 48-page black and white book with color covers seems a bit steep, even for one of Pope's talent.
