Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Scarlet #3
Icon Comics (Marvel Comics)
Bendis & Maleev
As an impulse purchase I picked up Scarlet number three having not read the first two issues. Why did I do this? I had heard enough good things about the first two issues and I thought I would test out the ability to jump into a title at a random point in an arc. Turns out this issue was accessible and it was very entertaining. Add in the fact that Bendis packs the back with interviews, a long letter column and other stuff and this is a comic book that is actually giving value for your $4. I definitely enjoyed reading this issue.
Scarlet is on the verge of leading a strange revolution against the established society, specifically the Portland Police Department. Her boyfriend was killed innocently and she's gathering up surveillance to determine which cops must pay.
In this issue she recruits a new member for her organization, her dead boyfriend's best buddy, Brandon. Brandon's back story is given in a unique sequence of rectangular portraits with title cards beneath them. I liked how the comic book seems to throw out unconventional page layouts here and there to keep the book looking fresh.
Scarlet is being hunted by the police, but she has managed to elude them to this point. However, in this issue the cops beef up their search for her. Scarlet shows them, by the end, that she still has the upper hand on them in what appears to be brewing war.
The most noticeable element of the comic book is that the story is from the point of view of Scarlet. More pointedly, the fact, that she speaks directly to the reader. While this provides a close relationship with the reader, it also skews the facts to only get presented from one perspective: hers. What if she isn't being entirely honest with the reader? What if she really is a cold blooded, cop killer bent on revenge?
Maleev has a very unpolished style in this book more so than in previous works with Bendis. He brings Scarlet and Brandon to life in this issue. The emotions are portrayed perfectly and he nails the chaos of the end of the issue absolutely. The only complaint would be with one of the double page, multiple paneled layouts. I couldn't tell if I was to read left to right across both pages or not. This is a gorgeous comic book overall.
This issue hooked me in enough to pick up the next issue and track down the first two issues. I am interested to see if this series escalates further or if it remains in the cloak and dagger style of this issue. I think Bendis and Maleev are to something here and this issue adds enough goodies to keep me entertained long after the story ends. I definitely recommend this issue.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
