IDW Publishing 2016
Written by Beau Smith
Illustrated by Lora Innes
Coloured by Jay Fotos
Lettered by Robbie Robbins
Wynonna earp, member of the U.S. Marshals’ Black Badge Division, faced down the underground fight entrepreneur odell grubb with the help of Valdez, Agent Doll’s secret weapon for keeping Wynonna on the straight and narrow…
So each issue seems to be just focusing on a different adventure and yes there are some points that go beyond each issue that fill out the world Wynonna lives in but for the most part it seems these are pretty much one and done. I’m okay with that too as this issue is kind of fun in a weird retro Dawn of the Dead way. It really makes for one heck of an interesting story and if this these are the kind of stories we can keep expecting that heck people this needs to be an ongoing!
I love that a CDC Doctor, Phil Winfrey, has taken his research one step further than it should have gone. Aside from all the moral and ethical questions because if we addressed them there wouldn’t be a story this is the kind of stuff that makes popular culture squeal with delight! Such a better explanation for this current dilemma than i’ve ever really seen presented for this kind of shall we say outbreak.
I really am enjoying the characterization here as we see the team inside a Mall going after the Doc who has caused this mess. What mess well read the story for a better understanding. As Wynonna is paired up with Valdez and Dolls heads off with John Henry so it’s only natural really that we get some great dialogue. I mean Dolls doesn’t want Wynonna to know John Henry’s real identity yet and Valdez is supposed to help keep her focused and become a better agent. Though the Amazon Princess isn’t among her favourite people the two work surprisingly well together and perhaps Doll’s intent is exactly what both women need.
Lora’s interior style artwork is growing on me with every issue. While i’d like a more detailed style what she brings to the table is quite entertaining and aptly gives us everything we need to get emotionally into the story. The flow of the book is great and the use of backgrounds is much appreciated, it is a mall after all and we should see stores and such in almost every panel. That we see more of them than not is a good thing.
With a great story, solid characterization and a fun as can be attitude from each character this is a great compliment to the television series. While it has strong ties to that as a separate entity this really does explore the world Wynonna lives much more as they travel outside her home town, even if there’s one who wants her to come back and face her family legacy there.
Here’s hoping this six issue run isn’t the last we’ll be seeing of this team. Either regular limited series or an ongoing monthly is just what the industry needs.