SWEETS #1 (OF 5)
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Size: 32 pages
Price: 2.99
This review contains spoilers, click here to read
"Sweets" # 1 made for a really refreshing read for me. This has a lot to do with the fact that it appears to be a straight up crime comic, with nothing else to muddy the water. It's not a crime story set against a superhero universe, it's not a crime comic with a sci fi or supernatural twist, it's just crime through and through and I find that to be a nice change. The hook, if there is one, has more to do with it's setting. The book is set in New Orleans shortly before Katrina makes landfall, and it makes for a hell of an atmosphere.
Issue one establishes character and storyline fairly traditionally, by bringing in a cop partnership to a serial murder investigation at the same time as introducing supporting cast and filling in characters' recent history. The main character's daughter was recently killed and the force are loking to cut him loose over his drinking, but his partner goes to bat for him because they're friends and he's a good cop. This isn't original stuff as such, but it's done in subtle and intelligent ways. The language and script aren't always note perfect, but they have a kind of natural rhythm, often skipping obvious exposition in the way that real people do. It's the kind of stylistic choice that gets the reader thinking, but gives you a sense of reality often missing in comics.
In story terms writer/artist Chamberlain uses all kind so tricks, most of which add up to a satisfying whole. Intriguingly there's a visual recipe for pecan pralines at the start, a bit of an atmospheric scene setter which gives a sense of the place we're in, as well as leading into the killings themselves. It's then followed by a murder drawn in black and white and then there's a flashback (presumably to the killer's past) which doesn't give away the mystery, but which is again depicted in a different style and gives the story extra depth. There's also several pages devoted to an older ongoing murder case the two are investigating, which they are subsequently pulled away from. This could seem a waste of story if it isn't referred to again down the road, but even if it's not I think it makes the story more substantial as well as building that picture of a hardworking detective's caseload.
The art is stylish and moody, flitting regularly between colour palettes. It's got that kind of Templesmith vibe we see in a lot of indies, but it's clearer and less abstract. The cover and final page are beautiful to say the least.
In short I'm very glad I bought Sweets. It hooks you in and shows remarkable potential. I've no idea what Chamberlain's done in the past, but this is clearly a labour of love. There's a lot pay attention to, and the transitions perhaps need to be a little smoother, and the script just needs a little ironing in places. Still I have a lot of admiration for a book that takes you to a definite time and place convincingly, and while he's still got to sort out those few (minor) kinks this is definitely one to watch. And I really want to try that recipe now.
Art: 4 - Very Good
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