Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: Act V
Written by: Jason Hall
Penciled and Inked by: Cliff Chiang
Colored by: Dave Stewart
Lettered by: John Workman
Edited by: Will Dennis
Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics
This has been a great miniseries. Let’s see what has happened up to this point. In Paris in 1925 sisters Judith and Madeline attempt to make names for themselves in the artistic community. Mathieu, a suitor who has also beaten several local prostitutes, savagely beats Judith. Another of Judith’s suitor is Ric a police inspector, who happens to be a friend of Didi a prostitute who is looking for the man responsible for the beatings.
After Judith’s attack she disappears. At the same time the Creeper appears and wreaks havoc against Mathieu’s wealthy family. She then turns her sight to causing spectacles which she labels art. The Creeper becomes the latest craze.
A romantic triangle forms between Judith, Ric, and Madeline. Ric suspects that Judith is the Creeper. After Didi discovers that Mathieu is behind the beatings, he kills her and frames the Creeper for the murder. Ric vows to bring the Creeper to justice.
Well this issue clears everything up. After the murder the public has turned against CENSORED. We also find out that CENSORED is actually CENSORED. What a shock! Finally CENSORED kidnaps CENSORED. CENSORED then sets up a meeting with CENSORED at the Eiffel Tower. After the meet CENSORED and CENSORED plunge to their deaths. Or do they?
Hall has crafted a wonder full story. I cared about each of the character’s fate. Every issue left me wanting more, including this one. His use of historical figures was also well done, and not overdone. I picked up the clues as to CENSORED‘s whereabouts in #2, but that didn’t diminish the read at all.
The art is flawless. It captured the essence of an era and provided the perfect portal to the mood. The colors have been especially well done. And the covers have all been eye-catching. If you didn’t read this miniseries you certainly missed one of the most compelling best told stories of the year. Find these issues, read them, relish them.
