Scout Comics 2018
Created by Walter Ostlie
Orphans have gone missing all over London and it's up to Inspectre Pickle to find them, but first he needs to convince his partner Trish that he's not totally worthless. What better way to do that than a brawl in a seedy dive bar? It's all fun and games until a monster shows up.
I am really enjoying this a whole lot more than I had expected and this issue is much stronger than the first and if the series continues this way until the last then we are in for one hell of a treat. I mean aside from Pickle’s apparent obsession with being Sherlock Holmes, which is something that is a huge draw for me, the whole idea of what is going on has a sort of universal appeal to it. The death of a friend whose desire it was he take over and clean up the department and find lost kids hmm yeah it’s all draws you in.
Walter has structured this perfectly the whole ebb & flow of what is going and how we see it just has an innate charm to it that is undeniable. That we are at a funeral and Greev takes the time out to most inappropriately introduce himself well that exchange itself was utter spectacular. This kind of opening is what is going to really make a statement and it’s also going to give us the kind of characterisation that can only be done like this. By that I mean the interiors and the writing working in concert in such a way that there’s no mistaking what is occurring.
There is some great touches of humour here as well. The ghost that was sweeping in the cemetery yeah that was a great example. As was the exchange between Pickle and his secretary as well as the introduction of his new Second, since Trish quit on him. Interesting to see that the organisation was so keen to get him a replacement this fast. Though to be honest their exchange says it all. Still I like the addition of Todd to the cast of characters here. While he may not be Dr. Watson he’s definitely a good substitute. The correlations weren’t as obvious last issue but this issue it really does and the woman, Trish, we’ll see where she fits in but I have to admit this is a well done and interesting take on the detective genre.
Anyone who do the whole book by themselves is someone I have immense admiration for that individual. That they can bring their vision to life fully so that everything we see is exactly what is meant is immeasurable. The way we see page layouts being utilised and then the way angles and perspective in the panels shows a stellar eye for storytelling. The attention to detail and the way backgrounds are used have a stunning effect in how we see what is going on and brings us the scope of the world. There really is some absolutely beautiful work here and last page cliffhanger style ending well that takes the cake.
So speaking of the ending I am excited to see what’s next as this is one of those that piques the interest and curiosity. What is going on here is this science, magic or something in between that has caused this to be what we see. After all we’ve already met a ghost and this trio of fun loving members of the Bureau have had that bar fight and Pickle’s entrance so the world really is as much a mystery to us as the missing orphan’s and Ethan’s legacy at stake Walter has indeed made an impression.
Quirky, interesting, intelligent and full of the odd & unexpected this is a worthy whodunnit style of story that should be on your reading list.