Dark Horse Comics 2016
Written by Fred Van Lente
Illustrated by Guiu Vilanova
Coloured by Mauricio Wallace
Lettered by Nate Piekos of Blambot
DETECTIVE GREENE has managed to give his partner, Detective Fayez, the slip and continues his hunt for the Juice Box Killer! Greene’s investigation leads him to the “tainted” Anzio crime family’s barge in the harbor. Has he found the answers, or is he in over his head?
I think one of the more interesting aspects of this story so far is that Greene and Fayez are cops doing cop things. Meaning following suspects, even if it’s her own partner, taking down mobsters and dealing with daily life that just happens to have weird creatures that come from the mind of H.P. Lovecraft and are brought to life by Fred and Guiu. I’ve extolled the genius of Fred’s writing and i’ll continue to do so because how he can blend a modern day Noir and Horror story into a cop book is something i’m at a loss to explain.
Last issue Greene found himself facing off against the mob who have a unique way of solving their problems. Taking the opportunity while he was out Fayez sneaks onto his boathouse to snoop around. Okay while she can’t hear the cat think he’s still one of the greatest characters in this book. He steals whatever scene he’s in hands down. I find it extremely ironic that she finds what she does and has that reaction considering what she’s doing. I love this characterization and the fact that just over yonder is where Greene is and before she uncover all his secrets she’s drawn there too.
This is where we really get to see Guiu and Mauricio shine because that underwater battle between Greene and the aunt well it’s just incredible! This is the kind of weird stuff we’ve really been waiting to see, not just human skins emptied by some creature it’s the full on balls to the wall fight that showcases just how unhuman they are. Also I love the way the bring this to life it has that dark edginess to it that perfectly suits the tone, mood and feel we need for this kind of story. The way it flows through the panels is marvelously done and it has all the elements that keep you glued to the page.
The ending kind of surprised me. I do like that the two are forced to continue working together and now as beat cops, yet another demotion for Fayez. This is a direct result of what happened on that boat and well let’s just say there are those higher up who have more knowledge of what’s out there and don’t want it to change. The dialogue between the two however is what really got me and Fayez’s outburst well I lost a tad bit of respect for her for that. Here I was thinking he was going to be honest with her and tell her the truth.
I like how this book plays out and that regardless of what role they are in they are cops and that instead of looking for trouble it has a way of finding them. Sure Fayez was conscripted to spy on Greene to figure out how he was so good at what he does but now she’s caught up in all this and there’s no getting away from it. The weird is now a part of her life and her wife/girlfriend isn’t going to be happy about that should it find it’s way home with her.
This is one of the most creatively unique and imaginative series on stands right now.