
Dark Horse Comics 2016
Written by Fred Van Lente
Illustrated by Guiu Vilanova
Coloured by Mauricio Wallace
Lettered by Nate Piekos of Blambot
DETECTIVE SEBASTIAN GREENE, AN ANCIENT creature from beyond space and time in disguise, is trying to track down the Juice Box Killer, who’s leaving the empty skins of human victims all over NYC. Greene’s own partner, Sana Fayez, has been ordered to spy on him by the suspicious brass. So he’s tricked her into a trap set by the Deep One–tainted Anzio crime family to catch the boy they believe murdered their don’s daughter, when in fact they both were also victims of the JBK . . .
This is pretty intense series as Sebastian tries to set up Sana to get her off his trail you really get the sense that there is no real sense of honour among any of them. Granted she was tasked with spying on him and uncovering his secrets but still. Then to see her in action I was as impressed as Sebastian was with her skills. This is one woman you don’t want to mess with. Though I have to say when he read the mind of one of the men two things popped into my head, one that it was grossly sexual and two did he die or does he remember having his face then brain licked?
So then I do like added mystery and J. Randall Carter and his books, i’m guessing the covers of those are what we see in loft, add to that. So is he some kind of psychic whose going to offer his services to the chief in order to help solve these killings and try to get another best seller out of it? Who knows but in all honesty that’s the route i’d take it in.
Alright so the characterization and story development here is incredible. The interaction between all the characters is fast paced and very illuminating as you see how the dynamics are all supposed to play out. There’s plenty of tension and mistrust at every turn so it’s pretty impressive that any cases at all get closed. Though that’s why Sebastian’s being kept an eye on since his close rate is impressive.
Things do get even weirder if that’s possible to believe as Sebastian takes what he’s learned and gone off on his own to investigate.
I like the interiors here they have a great flow through the pages and panels. The attention to detail is really nice to see and the use of backgrounds, angles and perspective have a great feel to them. That we see Sebastian use his abilities almost as if out of the corner of the eye instead of straight on really does wonders for keeping the reality and mystery slightly blurred and yet recognizable.
There’s a lot more here than meets the eye. Yes it’s a great detective story, it’s a great science fiction story and it’s also a great monster story, what else is killing people and leaving just their skin? Fred delivers surprises at every turn and packs a lot of characterization and story into such a small amount of space that works to keep you guessing and wanting to know what’s going to happen next.