Pick of the Week
What did the
iFanboy
community think?
Pulls
Size: pages
Price:
Story by Jason Aaron
Art by R.M. Guéra
Colors by Giulia Brusco
Letters by Phil Balsman
Cover by Jock
Published by Vertigo/DC Comics | $2.99
Oh Jason Aaron, I’m sorry we got off to a bad start. I said it on the video show, and I’m saying it here. Jason Aaron… are we okay? You know, are we cool? Because I want to be cool with me. I didn’t mean what I said, and it’s out there on the internet now, and I can’t take it back, because that’s how the internet works. You make a mistake, and it lays out there forever, waiting for just the right moment when you cram your foot back into your big stupid mouth. I feel bad, because you gave me one of my favorite current comic book series, and something I can keep reading and enjoying and recommending for a long time, and I didn’t even give you a fair shake. Well, here I am, making it up to you. I guess I had to get that out of the way.
Here’s a thing about comics. If you’re 10 issues into a new series and you can do a fill-in issue that doesn’t have anything to do with the plot, and it’s not because the art team needs a break, and it is actually good, and adds something to the world, even without directly moving the story forward, you’ve got something good. We’re in the middle of the second big arc of this story, and here, Aaron decided to focus on a completely unknown character that gives us a view of the world of the Prairie Rose Indian Reservation in a depth we haven’t had before.
I really want to know what’s happening next to Dashiell Bad Horse, yet I didn’t mind this diversion one bit. Dino is just another young guy on the rez. He lives in poverty, and he’s seen the hopelessness of his surroundings swallow up almost anything that could be any good in his life. This issue focuses on the world where this book takes place. Dino’s stuck with no prospects, and only a little bit of hope. Every corner you turn in his life makes it look a little worse. He’s going nowhere, but he does want to make a change. However, all signs point to that not happening. I’m fairly certain that this character doesn’t really matter to the overall narrative, but through this glimpse into his life, we learn more about everything else, including the grey shaded personality of Chief Red Crow, the “villain” of the series. And wouldn’t you know, he might not be completely evil after all.
The picture this paints is bleak and terrible, and you’d have to wonder where Jason Aaron is getting his research, because while very extreme, there seems to be a deep ring of truth to this. If it isn’t, then the writer is much more talented than we suspected. I don’t think he grew up on a reservation, but I wouldn’t doubt it after reading this series. I mean, there aren’t a lot of movies or TV shows focusing on this ignored section of American culture, but he’s bringing it to life here, and it’s not pretty. A big part of that reality is the stark work of artist, R.M. Guéra. This is a guy from Serbia, who doesn’t live in the U.S., but there it is right on the page. It’s actually amazing that something that feels this uniquely American can come from someone who isn’t actually from here. But then, maybe it’s that outsider eye which manages to capture things in a way that seems so truthful. If you look at the faces, he’s not drawing white people colored red. He’s drawing authentic looking Native American faces, and filling in the corners of a visually complicated world. Not only that, but he’s getting better with every issue.
I can only hope that this book is selling well enough that it keeps going for a good long while. A Scalped movie doesn’t seem that far out of the picture, as the material would translate quite well. If you were or are a big fan of the realistic, gritty books, like the first 20 or so issues of 100 Bullets, I would strongly recommend you pick this one up. This issue gives nothing away if you were to sample it, but it does give you a sense of what this book feels like.
I’ll warn you though, it isn’t all that pretty.
Josh Flanagan
That lady is wrong. Crack is not good for you.
josh@ifanboy.com
Did you read Scalped #10? Add a comment and tell everyone what you think about this week’s comics!
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Some rights reserved.
This book is always really good. It is like criminal in that sense. I’ve been reading this book since the start and at first I hated the art. But every book since I liked it more and more. I think it does a great job bringing that world to life. I can’t imagine any other art fitting so good with this book. It captures the gritty, earthy feel so good.
I was wondering what the POW would be— none of the books I read stood out as really good. Now, I haven’t read Scalped yet– it’s on my list of things to pick up in trade. I’ve been hearing good things about Scalped, and Jason Aaron in general… maybe he’s out to prove you wrong, Josh?
I have to get that trade asap.
Jock’s cover = the hotness
This week, I had a short stack of some pretty dull comics. I don’t think I am going forward with Green Lanter Corp, because I don’t know any of the characters and I am finding it impossible to connect with any of them. Until I read wikipedia I was unclear on whether the Sinestro Corp had their own sentient planet or if Ranx was something else? Countdown was okay. Detective couldn’t seem to decide whether it was a Riddler story or Harley Quinn one. I passed on the Cyborg Superman issue, but picked up the Crime Society/Jokester issue, which was probably what I enjoyed the most. It actually wasn’t dull and felt like I was reading What If, but I wasn’t.
Don’t worry, Josh. We’re cool. Thanks for giving the book another shot.
Awesome. I’m going to stop feeling like Ike Turner.
I have been loving this book and these creators ever since it hit the scene. Jason Aaron is one of my new favorite writers, as his Other Side mini was amazing and the one-shot issue of Wolverine he wrote was sick awesome as well. It’s good to see this book get some love. R.M.’s art is so perfect for this book, and I think the fact that he lives in Serbia and still draws the American west so well just makes it so much better.
As for the rest of this week, it was pretty ok. I enjoyed Action Comics, but learned that even Eric Powell’s art can’t make Bizarro speak cool…or fun to read.
Detective was a little scatterbrained to me, even though I love Dini’s Riddler.
The Wolverine Annual was pretty good as well, and I really dug the art–Logan had this sort of animal energy that really stuck out. On a side note, is it just me, or have annuals been really awesome as of late?
I took a chance on Omega: The Unknown, which was pretty good, but left me scratching my head. I’ve enjoyed Lethem’s novels but am perplexed by his comic writing. I think I’ll give the second issue a try just to see where it goes.
Sitting here, I can’t recall what else I bought, which I guess is a testament to the ho-hummery of the whole week. I guess you could say that I enjoyed everything, but nothing stood out.
For those of you looking for the audio podcast that Josh referenced, it’s episode 62 — 01.04.2007 – The Amazing Spider-Man #537.
This was an alright week in comics. I only had 3 new ones (since it was a light week I bought a ton of back issues).
Metamorpho Year One was good, not as good as Green Arrow: Year One, but still pretty good. Barring some major disaster in writing, I’ll stick with it.
I liked GLC #16, but I’m really only reading it since it’s part of the Sinestro Corps War and I kinda like to see what people other than Hal, Guy, and John are doing. After Sinestro Corps finishes (in 2 more issues of this), I’m dropping it.
Bought the Cyborg Superman one-shot, and liked it probably only because I knew absolutely nothing about this guy beforehand (other than that he helped blow up Coast City and whatever else they explained in the Green Lantern arc a bit back). Guess I’ll have to wait and see if Supes gets out of that Yellow collar (since there’s totally doubt there…)
As for back issues: JLA 11 and 12 were awesome, I’ve added another monthly to my stack in the form of Teen Titans (which has won the award for “most times dropped and then picked up again”). But seriously, what’s with the bad cliffhangers these past few weeks? Robin isn’t gonna shoot himself, and nothing bad will happen to Superman in Sinestro Corps. C’mon DC, you’re better than this…
For those of you looking for the audio podcast that Josh referenced, it’s episode 62 — 01.04.2007 – The Amazing Spider-Man #537
You tryin’ to start some stuff with me and Jason? Is that it David?
I got my eye on you boy…
But seriously, what’s with the bad cliffhangers these past few weeks? Robin isn’t gonna shoot himself, and nothing bad will happen to Superman in Sinestro Corps. C’mon DC, you’re better than this…
That’s the nature of superhero comics. It has been since the beginning.
I have to admit, when I picked up the first issue of Scalped I was a little disappointed with the ending. I figured I’d stay with it for a few more issues, and know what, they keep getting better and better. My love for Scalped also led me to Aaron’s first series, The Other Side, which is also a superb read.
Scalped and Criminal, are hands down the best books I’m reading right now.
Also bought the first 2 trades of Sleeper, and damn they’re good.
is scalped really as good as y’all say it is?
I didn’t have anything at all come in this week. Picked up Omega the Unknown on a whim, and it was alright. Don’t know if I’ll kepe up with it.
Good review turned bad by a slamming of the last 65 issues of 100 Bullets.
Best issue of Scalped so far.
Re: cliffhangers ”Oh, we know he won’t be dead.” Hey, I was pretty sure Indiana Jones was going to survive Raiders of the Lost Ark but I was still thrilled. That James Bond guy seems to keep coming back too. It’s not ” We know he won’t shoot himself.” It’s “We know he won’t shoot himself. What’s going to stop him? Will he lose his nerve? Will someone stop time? Is he a clone? Will this start another alternate universe?” MOST cliffhangers involve heroes that you assume will survive somehow.
I bow to Tad.
And I will give you my honest thoughts on 100 Bullets any day of the week. Let me know how it turns out, because it just lost me.
If any of the iFanboy faithful still haven’t had the gaul to check out Scalped, now’s the time to do it!
Comics’ latest star on the rise, Jason Aaron, is offering a money back guarantee on the first trade that collects the first five issues for $9.99.
You’ve seen the figures, folks. Consider yourself served!
Oooh – no excuses, folks! 🙂