Ann Nocenti, writer
Flavia Biondi, art
Lee Loughridge, colors
Sal Cipriano, letters
Recap
The issue begins with an encounter between two friends, Lana and Blair. The two practice a trapeze act, which emphasizes the topic of trust, which is tied back into the larger narrative of the story later. The story then follow Lana as she visits a number of relatives and members of the town as she uncovers evidence of a potential murder from years ago. This is a slice of life story wrapped in a mystery with plenty of entertaining social commentary.
The most interesting part of this story is the main character Lana and her family who could be entangled in a decades old murder. Lana’s grandmother who lives in a nursing home has recollections of the murder, which she tries to pass off as a memory of a crime novel she previously read. And, a mother who knows more than she lets on and who refuses to let Lana return to the nursing home after learning what grandma told Lana. The rough edges provide character and pull the reader into the mystery. How much does Lana’s mother know about the murder that occurred years ago? How much does she know about what grandma knows?
Finally, this issue sets up an interesting dynamic between Lana and Blair who appear to be more than friends. Blair works at a gentlemen’s club, which Lana dislikes but understands as a necessary evil. The partners appear to be emotionally connected, close, and attuned. In an edgy town filled with mystery and cryptic information, the authenticity in the relationships is a ray of sunshine. I am very interested in seeing where this couple’s relationships goes and how it energizes or even protect Lana as she unravels the mystery that has yet to unfold. Overall 8/10
