Scout Comics & Entertainment 2016
Written by A.C. Medina
Illustrated by Kevin Shah
Coloured by Ross A. Campbell
Lettered by Micah Myers
In this neo-crime epic, we follow The Elasticator (aka Mikey Mazzagatti) as he tells us his story of life in Brooklyn during the height of the recession. With a city on its knees and organized crime working alongside the government, Mikey must push past his own troubles towards a greater good. Mixing equal parts humor and grit, Mikey goes from outcast to a neighborhood icon. Mikey pulls no punches as he tells a story of regret, hardship, and second chances
I liked this first issue a whole lot. This isn’t like anything i’ve read before and that’s a huge draw. If you are wondering from the get go Mikey, the Elasticator, has been arrested and is taken into police custody. So a man with abilities allows himself to be taken and it’s in the interrogation room where he tells them and us the story of how he came to be there. This is a prime example of how a small press company can put out such a good, strong and unique book that should be read. With a lot of people out there becoming more disillusioned by the “big two” and all their crazy events and reboots it’s books like this one that stands out.
So the two detectives who are questioning Mikey are interesting characters. As they sit there and listen to the story unfold it’s abundantly clear who is there to listen and believe and who is there because they have to be. Not fully listening or caring about the circumstances that made Mikey who he is while understandable for a cop is a bit cliche. Though the way A.C. is writing it it’s perfectly natural for him to feel this way and it does serve to highlight a few things for me.
We need to see what and how the recession really affected the people of Brooklyn. It’s a four year span between the time he moved here till he was arrested and in that short amount of time we see just how far a section of the city can fall. Still who is responsible and how can local law enforcement have been so ineffective in keeping things from getting to this point are things that we will see as this story goes forward. I like how the clues are being laid out and the players in this story have been introduced. Yes there are still plenty of gaps that need filling in and to suppose answers now would be a mistake. I like that part too because to see things clearly before it’s told means the story is predictable and this is far from it.
Already we are seeing some great characterization and a direction for characters to go and it’s kind of exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing Mikey grow into a man and how his actions dictate who he becomes. While I see potential in at least one detective for understanding and guidance in a way that I hope to see. So in just the first issue we get it all, a story worth reading, strong characters and characterization and potential for what’s to come. It’s a great start.
Kevin and Ross do a wonderful job with the interiors as well. We see how much things have changed in the city from the then and now segments and it’s a nice way to highlight how far the area has fallen. There’s a great blend of styles here to make this feel unique and interesting allowing for nice detail while staying very comic book/cartoon imagery.
This really is a stand out first issue and the start of something unique and interesting that demands to be read.