
Image Comics 2015
Created & Written by Greg Rucka
Created & Illustrated by Nicola Scott
Colour Assists by Chiara Arena
Lettered by Jodi Wynne
I’m seriously blown away by this series so far. I guess when you work on your own stuff, creator owned, there’s an added pressure for things to be perfect. Still I don’t think I’ve ever seen Nicola’s art look like this before and the attention to detail and the black and white with gray tones really makes everything stand out so much more. Immediately that house it’s just gorgeous and it’s such a wow factor and sets the tone for everything else to come.
At the precinct we see the morning roll going on with the assignments being handed out and a recap of the events of last night, last issue. Goodness I love Ro’s partner he’s gorgeous and that sweater he’s wearing I want one. I love Greg’s writing he’s got this whole cop thing down to a science adding in magic however should really twist this into something more extraordinary. Still the way this is all unfolding has really strong moments of characterization and set-up that really captures the attention.
I have to say that the moments when it seems I.A.B. has more knowledge than they let on was fantastic. I mean we don’t give cops enough credit and yeah far fetched theories may be hard to swallow but there’s usually some basis to them. Then there’s Father Gutierres who has his weekly lunches with Alex, the most powerful witch in the coven. I have a feeling he’s going to play a much larger role in all this as well. Why, well he’s introduced first of all and there’s a thing happening between him and Alex.
The talk Alex and Rowan have is more illuminating concerning the events of last issue and their significance. I’m really looking forward to learning more about these women, where they come and how long they’ve been alive just to name a few. Then of course there’s a whole new matter cropping up as well with a case she and her partner pickup. One that well can’t be a coincidence, mostly because I don’t believe in coincidence heh. As is proven by the team that is investigating the John Doe who burned to a crisp last issue and when we learn his name.
I love how everything is happening here there’s this whole sense of something huge unravelling before our eyes with just enough bits and pieces to keep us on the hook without giving away too much yet. It really does have this whole cop drama going on seemingly like a smokescreen for what’s really happening and yet not quite Grimm inspired but definitely kind of Hill Street Blues or Law and Order on it’s surface.
Of course I mentioned it earlier but it bears repeating, Nicola’s work on this is outeffingstanding to see. She’s utterly brilliant here and I cannot get over just how in love I am with these characters and the city and just the way she’s bringing this all to life. Facial expressions, body language, clothing, backgrounds I mean from page/panel layouts to every detail we see there’s nothing here not to be mesmerized by.