By: Enrique Carrion (writer/creator), John Upchurch (art), Rafael Diaz (letters)
The Story: A pop-star is sick of fame and wants to transfer out of her body.
Five Things:
1. Why is this title getting zero chatter? – I’ve been really mystified at how little I’ve heard about this title because it is really good. You wouldn’t expect the guys who only read Big 2 superhero books to comment on Vescell, but it doesn’t seem to be getting any jabber even from people who DO read a lot of non-Big 2 comics. My only speculation about why a great comic like this has no buzz is that it launched right when DC sucked all the oxygen out of the room during the fall. If you like things that are a little different and you missed this, check it out. I keep waiting for the issue where it takes a turn for the mediocre and it hasn’t happened yet.
2. Fun science-fiction story. – The basic premise of the series is that there is this corporation called Vescell Corp who has pioneered a method of transferring a person’s mind into a new body. Interestingly, they only focus on oddball cases. There’s no “giving Steve Jobs’ a fresh body” or explorations of the societal impact of immortality. It’s all pop-starlets who want to be normal again, women who want to be men or artificial intelligences that want a body. Each month, there have been some interesting scenarios cooked up by the creator to keep us interested.
3. Sexy too. – Vescell Corp employs this dude named Agent Barrino to bring in their more famous cases. Like if the starlet really wants to be “normal”, she can’t have the media knowing what she did, right? That’s what the Agents do: maintain the anonymity of the customers. But, along the way, it seems like Barrino has sex with any hot woman that he comes across. And that’s always fun. But, there’s also a perversity to Vescell that is refreshing. For example, in this issue, someone inhabits the starlet’s old body that has major issues, so we’re treated to this highly kinky/disturbing scene with the starlet and a strap-on. You’ll have to read it, but it’s enjoyable to read a comic that isn’t making any attempt to be all-ages or tone things down.
4. Pretty effective art. There’s a lot to be said for effective sequential storytelling because many times in comics storytelling is sacrificed to make an artistically dramatic page. You can’t fault the storytelling in Vescell at all. Each panel tells you exactly what you need to know in terms of what is going on and what kinds of emotions are in the air. And Upchurch does a great job drawing sexy women. I don’t love the coloring and the linework is just fine (not “great”, not “bad,” just fine), but the overall sense of storytelling and layout are so well done that I find myself enjoying the art a lot.
5. Unsure where the story is going. – If there is a negative for me about this issue (and the series), it’s that I can’t put my hands on a central theme. Each issue has shown us a weird character that wants to have their mind transferred and somehow that is tying into Barrino’s search for his lost girlfriend. But that central plot often is far in the background. It isn’t that I don’t enjoy the “weirdo of the month” story each issue, but it makes it a little hard to focus on the bigger picture.
Conclusion: It’s a shame that this comic isn’t getting more hype because it is a really strong offering. It has an interesting concept, it’s sexy and is unafraid to push boundaries.
Grade: B
-Dean Stell
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