Title : Dead Means Dead
Writer : Brian K. Vaughan
Penciler : Mike Norton
Inker : Craig Yeung
Colorist : Christina Strain
Letterer : Randy Gentile (VC)
Editor : Nick Lower
Okay, first things first.
THAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST, CUTEST, MOST MEMORABLE COVERS I HAVE EVER SEEN!!
Seriously, mad props to Jo Chen, who has come up with some amazing covers and concepts for this series. This image, which has no connection particularly to this individual issue, sums up the character of Molly brilliantly.
Anyway, on to the fantastic stuff actually inside the covers of this issue.
The Runaways continue their battle against ‘Tall, Dark and Horrific’, while Chase faces his own decision on the path to a possible resurrection of Gert, the young girl who died in his arms several issues ago.
Does the title prove prophetic? And how? Like I’m going to give anything else away…
This title is receiving a lot more attention given the high profile of Joss Whedon, the writer taking over scripting duties after creator Brian Vaughan’s departure after issue #24. The attention is deserved, because this is one of the most accessible, entertaining, funny, engaging and dramatic titles on the market.
One of the (many, many) strengths of this title is the easily-recognisable voices of each of the main characters. Like the show ‘Friends’ (I know, bear with me) you feel like you know these people, and the events that occur to them tug on your emotions like many mainstream titles just can’t do.
The art by Mike Norton is fine, although it would of course be preferable for this title to maintain a single artist for the sake of continuity. The difference between styles is certainly minor.
In case I’m being too subtle, buy the trades and then buy this issue. Don’t wait for Whedon’s jumping-on point on issue #25.
