Image Comics 2019
Written by Brian Schirmer
Illustrated by Claudia Balboni
Coloured by Shari Chankhamma
Lettered & Designed by David Bowman
When her client turns up dead, Fairlady Jenner Faulds thinks her biggest task will be figuring out whodunnit. Instead, she learns that the client was an imposter, that the assassin(s) might still be after the real guy, and that she might yet have a bigger role to play.
Each issue of this book makes me more and more enamoured with it. Jenner really is a great character and her supporting cast is sensational though I want to see and learn more about Oanu. We never see him enough and he’s kind of faithful and snarky so yeah I really do want to see more of him. Okay we’re only three issues in and already this creative team has me wanting more of a character which means they are totally doing something right. This is a sword and sorcery book that is more about mysteries than it is swordplay but everything has it’s place here and they are certainly not afraid to mix it all up at any given moment.
Now I am thoroughly enjoying the way that this story is being told. From the opening which grabs your attention to what follows there really is never a dull moment here. I love that we get to see action, fighting, woven through the storytelling here. It is so expertly done as well as the fighting and the story kind of work through each other, feeding each other with the kind of information and such that we are the reader need to learn. Also the fact that Brian is not only able to do that but keep it all in this one and done style storytelling impresses the hell out of me.
The characterisation here is fantastic. We get a very good sense of who everyone is, whether we have met them before or are meeting them for the first time. Also now I'd like to see more of Camershon and his men with the crossbows. Lined up like that I had a Full Monty scenario running through my head just saying. Also as mysterious as Oanu is Nejla is quite easy to understand and why we don’t see her more. Though steadfast in her station and loathe to do anything for Jenner beyond what the Tower’s duties include oh again one day I'd like to see more of her story as well.
The interiors here are a perfect chance for Claudia to show off her creativity and imagination. From the Tower, to the birds circling to the way we see the characters and how they are dressed there are an infinite number of possibilities here for her to shine and she does. The only thing I think is missing here are backgrounds, I think we need to see more of them while we get some very nice attention to detail those are what is going to expand the moments. Though I don’t mind seeing a take on Thundarr the Barbarian that’s for damn sure. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a solid eye for storytelling. The colour work is really nice as well. The colour variations that we see in how the shading is done is solid stuff.
I am such a fan of the story & plot development here with the strength of the pacing and character development which allows us to get a full adventure in each issue. Plus as each issue ends we are left wanting more and eager await the next issue. Jenner is a strong female lead and she’s got this presence about her that commands respect and loyalty, whether or not you like her or not. Lets be thankful that her position at the Tower allows her ample free time to take on cases with with we can explore this world through her.