Black Mask Studios 2016
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Illustrated by Eva Cabrera
Coloured by Claudia Aguirre
Lettered by Zakk Saam
With fugitive Tom Quilt in tow, the Fighting Kim’s go off in search of the mysterious Lady Babylon, only to come up short. Turning to necromancy to help find her, things go about as badly as they possibly can.
Could this series be any more fun to read? I’m not sure that’s possible actually but ya know what so long as it keeps going this way we won’t have to worry about it. Magdalene’s story and characterization completely engage the reader and take them on a journey they soon won’t forget! I also have to say that while this may be one of the more unique and original story settings i’ve been privileged to see there’s a nice homage in the familiarity behind it. There’s a classic kind of Private Dick sensibility here with the good meaning ne’er do well leads.
That this is completely intergalactic means that Eva and Claudia get to show off some great creativity and imagination. Whether it’s these strange new worlds and their environments or in characters from those alien worlds it’s simply fun to see them bring them to life. The flow of the book through the page layouts with the use of angles and perspective keep the eye moving. I’m a big fan of the use of backgrounds here to really flesh out the scenes and I love the emotion and feelings they bring to the page and the story itself.
The way that Magdalene has structured this story and has the pacing down means it moves along at a great clip. With great moments of story manipulation, see new information, amidst scenes of action, see fighting, and all the while giving us this level of characterization really is a huge treat.
Ah Furious Quatro, Kim Q’s dad, gets a nice little spotlight here. I really like because his characterization is marvelous and we see how he’s the one that told the two to clue the girls in on the bounty. Also the family angle makes me think the apple and tree and i’m not sure if it didn’t fall far enough or it fell too far from it. See Magdalene’s got me thinking broader picture and has engaged my mind in the story in ways that a good storyteller will do. I also love that he has his son’s picture and name in his phone even though it’s not him anymore sigh sometimes parents just don’t understand.
The last pages shocking revelation is a game changer. Once again family is the key to all surprises in this issue. I mean Tom is fun and all and the girls are using him the way they think they should and in effect kind of making him a member of the team but it’s the family angle that’s what causes the most interest and moments that wow.