Action Lab Danger Zone 2018
Written by Shawn Gabborin
Illustrated by Michela Da Sacco
Coloured by Rosa Rantila
Find the girl? Check. Kill the monster? Working on it. Black Betty is on her way to earning her latest paycheck when she comes across a big snag in her plans. More accurately; two snags.
Honestly this does have some sense of familiarity to it as it’s like Butch Buffy meets Supernatural which in itself is a high interest concept. Shawn is no stranger to making the otherworldly seem commonplace and keep it creepy, fascinating and yet can keep that humour to it that doesn’t let it get dark. It is a very fine line to tow and that his talent and ability is able to do just that is why I love his work. I mean that too because where else are you going to find this special blend of crazy that works so fantastically on the page.
I like the way the book is structured and how what we see plays out. The ebb & flow of it all has this nice rhythm to it where it comes across so naturally and while you want to hear that theme from Deliverance it’s not there instead it’s like some cool island jam or some Kenny Chesney beachy anthem ya know warm and embracing with a bit of edge to it. I’m not even sure I am doing the description justice but this is how it makes me feel and you all know that when you FEEL something from the writing it means that it’s just that good.
Also I appreciate how Shawn is going about revealing more and more about Betty and how she came to do and be what she is. It is something that we want to know but that it’s trickling down like droplets from a broken faucet when what we really want is to turn that up has the right desired effect because it pretty much demonstrates why the reader is coming back. Once you meet Black Betty there is no turning back she’s got an infectious personality and mystique surrounding her that somehow manages to get under your skin.
Michela’s work on the interiors here is inspired it truly is. That Betty comes across as a plus size pin-up girl butch woman is beyond compare. If ever there was a reason to look past the shell and into the person it’s here and Michela does such wonderful things with her. The creativity and imagination on display is marvellous to see and that she can brings these creatures to life the way she does matches the way Shawn writes this so it’s creepy but not threatening. The use of page layouts here so that we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling.
There is this whole overall way that Shawn is telling this story that makes it so darn appealing and there is a charm and suave de vie that resonates. The way she dealt with the kids while out there to earn her money and then dealing with those folks when she came back speaks volumes about her and is a prime example of actions fleshing out a character’s characterisation. Then add into all this the drip drip drip of information and background that we get and how this issue ends well it all adds up.
Intriguing, interesting and intensely unique this series will thrill you in ways you won’t expect and then can’t imagine ever having lived without.