Reviewer: Mathan “Drool” Erhardt
Story title: sym-me-try
Story by: Brian Stelfreeze & Devin Grayson
Scripted by: Devin Grayson
Penciled, Inked & Colored by: Brian Stelfreeze
Lettered by: Pat Brosseau
Editor: Alex Sinclair
Publisher: Wildstorm > DC Comics
The issue begins with a witness recounting a murder to a police detective. He describes the scene as we see what the witnessed. Isabel Cardona, the detective taking the interview becomes captivated with the witnesses statement.
Cardona’s partner Coley arrives and begins to attack the witness’s story. Before the conversation gets too heated D.A. Graves arrives to discuss the case with Cardona. Graves is a dashing gent and Cardona harbors quite a crush on him, but he’s all about business.
After their impromptu meeting Cardona thinks she’s picked up a new aspect connecting the most recent murder with a pervious crime. But when she tries to tell her Captain, he’s dismissive of her new notion. He thinks she’s after the urban legend of “The Matador” an assassin.
Later we witness Isabel visit with her family and we get a glimpse of her family life. When she gets home, she retires to her bedroom to ponder her new lead and ends up dreaming of The Matador. She becomes so enthralled in her idea that she ends up rushing to work the next day, without showering. She again shared her new theory with her Captain, who again shoots her down.
After taking her partners advice of forcing Graves to take her out for dinner after testifying in his case, she stumbles upon The Matador in action and comes face to face with an urban legend. To be continued.
Grayson crafts a pretty good tale here. She makes Isabel’s life very mundane, so that it’s very believable that she’s become fixated by a case to occupy her attention. It’s nice to get a “woman’s take” on things. She certainly paints a pretty tough portrait; men are lecherous, dismissive or indifferent. But the story and the characters are truly strong.
Stelfreeze is my new favorite artist. This book is glorious. Seeing The Matador in action is beautiful and stunning. Every panel of this issue is immaculately illustrated with excellent backgrounds. Shadows are also used to an amazing effect throughout the issue. Stelfreeze also expertly colors the issue, which gives the art a cohesive feel. Again, The Matador in action is amazing.
