Oni Press 2017
Written by Paul Tobin
Illustrated by Arjuna Susini
Coloured by Gonzalo Duarte
Lettered by Saida Temofonte
Previously: Jutte Shelly—formerly Jutte Frankenstein—brought her murdered teammates back from the dead. (Just following the family business.) They’ve been given a connection to their murders: Detroit Chief of Police Hubert Grange. So while Ex, Leo and Gemini committed some light breaking and entering, Hadry was trailing Grange at his usual hangout (a night club), and Jutte was securing a mole in the police department (by sleeping with a cop). Unfortunately there’s another player in the game who’s got their sights set on Jutte and her crew.
Paul is an amazing writer and the concept behind this one and its execution has made my top ten every time it’s out. The structure of this story is extremely well done and the way the action flows through the story becoming an essential part of the story, as much as the advancement of said story through dialogue and narration. Not only that but the nature of the story itself is something extraordinary as it’s a take on the Frankenstein story that is unique, different and compelling. Paul manages to take the idea of the Frankenstein family tree and make it into something that you never would’ve thought of before.
The characters are as diverse and unique as the story itself. So the characterisation that comes along with it is also some amazing work. Jutte is a complex character, confident (possibly overly so) and as a leader well she’s just a take charge kind of gal. The idea of Leo while more out there and crazy and the fact that he can’t speak but we can see his actions and discern his nature well that’s enough. Hadry well she’s an interesting one as a lesbian who has been around since 1894 well she just adds this flair to the story that we don’t expect, mainly because she’s unique and not just a resurrected cop.
Gosh the ebb & flow of the books is so gosh darn good. From learning of the past and the legacy of the Frankenstein name to Hadry’s past as Luisa Falconetto to the present where the story advances in ways that are fun, interesting and have a few twists and turns that make the unexpected something to fear.
Arjuna’s work on the interiors here is sublime. This series is my introduction to his work and I’m a huge fan already. There is this flow to the work, some whimsy as well as some serious badass moments. That he can make Leo believable is superb and his people are beautifully rendered and the anatomy is as close to real life people as you can get. His use of page layouts including the angles and perspective in the panels show a very strong, solid eye for storytelling. Also I am a fan of backgrounds and that Arjuna can use them this effectively so to expand the story and the moments not to mention add to the characterisation well he’s a top notch illustrator.
Jutte seems to be a woman on a mission and that mission is revenge. This can make one a little sloppy to be so single minded. She’ll need to be careful not to fall into that trap and more so since they now know there’s another player in the mix, after that sniper tried to take em all out. Though Jutte and Larkin at the pizza joint having a chat that was some dialogue that showcases why I love Paul’s work. Brazen, bold and all kinds of this is my world, my rules things going on that really are both impressive and make you want to call her out as the bitch she is. Beautifully done and it’s like this throughout the book, series thus far.
This is one of the best, strongest and purely original series to hit stands this year. This is a guaranteed top five book of the year, don’t agree with me that’s fine but you’re wrong or if haven’t read it yet well it’s about time you did. It doesn’t get better than this!