Dark Horse Comics 2016
Written by John Arcudi
Illustrated by Toni Fejzula
Coloured by Andrew May
Lettered by Joe Sabino
Detective Linda Caruso has been focusing on the crime scene itself: a brutal murder inside the Mariposa County Jail. But as she keeps asking questions that no one wants to answer, she learns that what’s been happening outside those heavily guarded walls is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Holy mother of pearl bailey! I have no idea what John is going to do next with this story but the pieces here are playing themselves out of the game long before Linda is able to put them together. The way that John has structured this story and his subsequent execution of it is utterly flawless.
I will say that Linda’s constant self-doubt and second guessing would normally be a downer to read about. However with the way that John is presenting it there’s merit behind it and seems to somehow strengthen her resolve to continue moving forward. It’s almost as if they are contradictory to one another and yet somehow some way he’s making them work in concert instead. Still from what I can see she’s pretty competent at her job and no one ever said being a cop would be easy and there’s a lot of baggage that comes from doing it but she’s doing alright by my book.
I’ve been enjoying Toni and Andrew’s work thus far but for some reason this issue seems off to me. Jools has this really odd look to her and if she’s got them hips she shouldn’t have that gap and her head I dunno there’s something there just doesn’t feel right. Plus there are moments where the perspective seems to really elongate the limbs. Minor quibbles considering how good the book is.
There are a lot things that happen this issue that should be raising red flags but aren’t and that fact alone is making me sit up and take notice. Normally I think we’ve become more suspicious and cynical so that John’s made me drop my guard some and misdirected some of what’s happening here is utterly delightful. Also I think some leads are red herrings and others are those that will help tie it all together but then Linda needs a cyber crimes person to follow a few things up and where’s she gonna find of those?
There’s so much going on here and yet it all feels like it all works perfectly together. I mean the personal drama that surrounds her, the professional pressure, the distraction of Aaron and the whole case itself has seeped into every aspect of her life and it’s becoming one of those instances where I have no idea who’s responsible and wondering if Linda will be able to find out.