Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: N/A
Written by: Jeff Amano
Penciled and Inked by: Craig Rousseau
Colored by: Giulia Brusco
Lettered by: Omar Mediano
Managing Editor: Gabriel Benson
Publisher: Beckett Comics
This coming July will mark my first full year on the Beckett bandwagon. This month marks the conclusion of one of their titles, Ruule: Kiss & Tell. Kiss & Tell has always been Beckett’s “third” book to me, but that’s in no way a knock on it. When you’re competing with The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty and Fade From Grace it’s a tough heat to win.
Ruule: Kiss & Tell is a noir/mobster retelling of the classic Biblical tale of Samson. Instead of Samson imbued with strength because of his hair we are told the story of Sam Swede of infinite strength as long as he does not partake in drink. That’s not soda, milk, or Shirley Temples, mind you. We’re talking the hard stuff. As the winding tale of double crosses, intrigues, hot dames, and gangland violence unfolded Sam Swede had a tragic fall from grace at the hands of a beautiful mob moll, Dahlia. This month, writer Jeff Amano and artist Craig Rousseau bring forth the satisfying, albeit rather telegraphed ending.
Come on, folks, anyone that knows the story of Samson saw this ending coming.
The story is all the more brilliant for how engrossing, satisfying, and intriguing it was considering we knew the ending before the series even started.
Jeff Amano’s adaptation of the story of Samson and Delilah is perfection. Ruule: Kiss & Tell is a wonderful morality tale of how not to live your life. The characters are all larger than life, driving home a classic story, and making you think a little bit. Certainly you’re not afraid to think a bit when reading your comics?
Beckett Comics has succeeded marvelously not just in creating books that are action-packed and thought-provoking, but they’re also beautiful to look at. Craig Rousseau’s style is animated in feel, but he captures the down-and-dirty element the scripting necessitates. There’s blood, guts, and sex, but there’s a clean, almost fairy tale quality to the art as well.
While it may have only been Beckett’s third best title it was one of the most entertaining books going. The quality here speaks volumes for how much better Beckett’s offerings are than most other companies. There isn’t another company in the industry that’s consistently putting out three titles that are this damn good. I am going to miss Kiss & Tell a whole lot. I can’t wait for the entire creative team’s next outing when Ronin Hood & the 47 Thieves hits in May. That book will be all the better because it’s a part of Free Comic Book Day. Nothing beats free comics!
