SCALPED #16

Review by: Neb


Size: pages
Price: 2.99

In the comment section below the link that you clicked to read this review, I noted that Jason Aaron has a god-like grip on my soul.  In this issue, his grip continues, unabated, and squeezes ever tighter.  And I love him for it because I am experiencing an awe inspiring tale told through the comics medium that gets better and better with each issue.

When he sat down to write this story, I wonder if Aaron had defense mechanisms on his mind.  I only wonder because this story seems to be a study into just how the defense mechanism of projection affects the lives of our characters.  In this, we see each character project their true feelings onto another character.  We see Red Crow unleash his frustration.  We see Agent Nitz project his inadequacies as an F.B.I. agent on Red Crow.  But most importantly, we see Dash project his feelings of loss and mourning on the small child he’s been with the last few issues.  It all pulls together into this perfect tapestry of character and story that moves the book along in such a magnificent way.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll avoid particular story points, but I will say that the end of the issue let me wanting more.  I want to know what’s going to happen to these characters, and in some way, through this issue, I’ve even begun to feel for Red Crow.  I think it takes a special kind of writer to make me feel for the bad guy of the story.  The grays within this world are dark, and it makes lines between the goodness and horriblness of these characters so much more rich.

Everything, from the writing to the art, is exceptional about this book.  This is one series that I never hope to give up, and I hope never goes away.  If I ever get the chance to meet Jason Aaron, I would love to hug him for bringing me such joy each month, but I’ll probably shake his hand, just so I don’t come off as creepy.

Story: 5 - Excellent
Art: 5 - Excellent

Comments

  1. I couldn’t agree more Neb.  This book is totally hitting it’s stride and just gets better and better.  I remembered when they had all those one shots that were great but I really thought none of it would tie into the larger story.  I was wrong!  All these supporting characters who had spotlighted issues are all now coming back into play and I couldn’t love this comic any more than I do.

    I also wasn’t too keen on the art work when I first started reading the series but now I couldn’t imagine it any other way.  It’s so dirty and it fits like a glove. 

  2. Great review and could agree more. I’ve been reading this from the start but the issue that got me hooked was issue 7 where I really enjoyed seeing Red Crow’s grand opening ruined and seeing that he wasn’t such a hard ass top dog after. But in the same issue we see that he is a hard working man who is struggling to see his dreams come true.

    This was definitly another bad day at the office issue for Red Crow and another great piece of characterisaion by Jason. The way Dash put the sherif back in his place was priceless.

Leave a Comment