Shuddertown #3 – Review

By: Nick Spencer (writer), Adam Green (art & colors) & Thomas Mauer (letters)

The Story: Hard bitten cop Issac Hernandez continues to try to solve a string of murders that seem to have been committed by people who are already dead.

What’s Good: Umm…..  I’m struggling here.  Actually, the good thing about this comic is that it gives me a chance to prove my “journalistic integrity” by saying bad things about a comic and a creator that I ordinarily really admire.  I typed up a glowing review of Nick Spencer’s Forgetless #5 just moments ago, so I feel not too bad moving on to the next portion of this review….

What’s Not So Good: This story is just incoherent.  Beyond the basic theme of there being a bunch of murder victims with evidence pointing to some already deceased criminals, I really am having a very hard time following this story.  I read this issue twice, just to make sure I was being fair and I’m still confused.  I think Spencer might just be better at telling cool/weird stories than doing a gritty crime/noir story.  And, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because as comic fans we’ve got plenty of good crime books (and not enough funky weird books).  I’m going to hang in there to see if this title redeems itself, but I’m not optimistic.

The art is HEAVILY photo-referenced.  I think the style fits the book well and the art is very cool and stylish, but photo-reference jumps the shark for me when I can recognize the people who were used for photo-reference.  Mind you, I’m pretty good with faces, but this comic is a little over done.  First we have James Gandolfini starring as Issac’s cop buddy.  This isn’t even subtle.  It’s freaking Tony Soprano starring out of the pages at us.  Next, we have a dude in the corner’s office who looks just like Giovanni Ribisi (the weasel company-man from Avatar).  Finally, at the end we meet a lady who I can’t figure out how she fits into the story (see complain #1 about the story) who is photo referenced from Julianne Moore.  I’m actually irritated at myself that I don’t know who the other characters are referenced from since I’m now pretty sure there are also famous actors.   C’mon change their nose or mouth or something to make them look distinctive!

Conclusion: Confusing story and “where have I seen that guy before” art.  Not good.

Grade: D

– Dean Stell