Black Mask Studios 2016
Written by Mags Visaggio
Illustrated by Eva Cabrera
Coloured by Claudia Aguirre
Lettered by Zakk Saam
Kim & Kim are twenty-something besties out to make a name for themselves in the wild world of interdimensional cowboy law enforcement. In a massive "screw you" to their parents and the authorities, they decide to hijack some high stakes bounty -- and end up in way over their heads.
I do like Black Mask Studios and that they take chances and bring us stuff that’s different, quirky and all kinds of fun. This certainly fits that bill. I like the whole idea of these two who are “old enough to know better, young enough to get away with it”, “us against the world” mentality that we have before we finally mature. It’s fun to see how Mags is bringing that to life without the reader shaking their head with a girl please moment. The characterization here is really nice and i’ve enjoyed getting to know these girls.
Eva and Claudia’s work on the visuals is great. There’s a high end animated movie style here that blends punk, G.I. Joe and Jem so that we get all this great visual drama. I’m a huge supporter of people who use backgrounds as they really are important to fleshing out the world, mood, tone and feel of what’s happening in the panel and it’s great to see so much of that in use here. The flow of the book through it’s pages and panels with the use of angles and perspective is wonderful to see. I love the faces here and the expressions they give off it’s just delightful.
The introduction of Columbus and Saar was nice to see. Not a supporting cast moment kind of thing and yet not quite a rivalry thing either but it’s nice to see they potentially have friends out there looking out for them. Also in that capacity they bring about what’s going to happen next and the whole exchange and the after effects were wonderfully done. I’m super impressed with the dialogue characterization here it’s really effective and I feel like I’ve gotten to know them pretty well so far.
The action here is great too and it’s just nice to see such a female led book be so smart, funny and full of kick butt action. It’s high time characters like these were represented and this team goes way above and beyond in delivering. I like the emergence of this villain and can’t wait to see more of him and his dichotomy is great as i’m a little confounded by what he is but excited by the prospect. Plus what an unexpected and incredible ending so I am fully in on this and can’t wait for what’s next.
Smart, funny and beautifully illustrated this is a genre and gender breaking debut that will will excite readers of all ages.