Fatale #1

What a dark delight this comic is, completely defying expectations.

From the "film noir" cover to Fatale, I assumed this would be a tale of crime set in the past, with a mysterious woman at the center of deadly dealings.

Which turned out to be true, sorta.

This series is actually set in modern times and in the past, and owes as much to horror as to crime fiction.

It starts with a man whose godfather has died, leaving him in charge of the estate. Josephine walks into his life and turns it upside down, as he suffers a murderous attack and finds himself facing a dark mystery.

The story then flashes back to the past for some horrific scenes that connect to the modern tale, but in strange and unnatural ways. The story is part Mickey Spillane and part H. P. Lovecraft, and it's compelling (though certainly too mature for kids).

It's written by Ed Brubaker, who has this kind of hard-edged tale down pat. The art is provided by Sean Phillips, and it's a perfect match for this tale. It's compelling, carrying you from scene to scene and bringing each character vividly to life. There's not a super-hero suit in sight, but Phillips makes each character distinct and memorable.

So, a pleasant surprise wrapped in a dark and sinister comic. Best of all, I have no idea where the story is going, but I can't wait to find out.

Highly recommended!

Grade: A

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