SCENE OF THE CRIME #1-4
The crime comics steamroller charges on with another noir piece from Ed Brubaker.

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artists: Michael Lark, Sean Phillips (Inks issues 2-4)
Colorist: James Sinclair
Letterer: John Costanza
Four issue series
Published by DC Vertigo 1999
$2.95 each

Reviewed by Marc Bryant

The highest praise I can give a comic book is to recommend it to a friend who isn't a comics reader. The book generally has to be self-contained, set in 'reality' (read: no superheroes) and, of course, contain an exciting story with good characters, illustrated in an attractive, easy to follow style. Granted, not many comics come along that meet this criteria, but SCENE OF THE CRIME fits the bill on all counts.

Soon to be collected in a trade paperback (making it even more 'loan-worthy') SOTC follows junkie-turned private investigator Jack Herriman. Jack is trying to get to the bottom of a murder involving a new age cult with the help of his uncle Knut, a noted crime scene photographer and Knut's fiance Molly. The mystery soon hits a personal chord with Jack, forcing him to confront ghosts from his past that have haunted him for most of his life.

"The plot is lean and economical, with rich characterization and an in-depth back-story"

Like many detective stories in other media, SOTC is told from the protagonist's point of view, utilizing 'voice-over' narrating captions. This is a technique much overused in many comics today, but here it serves it purpose well, allowing insight into Jack's character and the story without getting bogged down in excessive wordage or redundant exposition. The plot is lean and economical, with rich characterization and an in-depth back-story to flesh the storyline out.

The characters are a big departure from typical comic book fare. They have real, believable problems and react to them in believable ways. Each member of the cast speaks with a unique voice, again, never relying on the heavy-handed exposition of many comics characters today. As human beings, they are far from perfect and that makes them perfect for hard-boiled storytelling.

Lark and Phillips's artwork is perfect for Brubaker's story. Lark abandons the rough-edged, gritty style of most crime-comics with crisp, literal line work and detailed, expressive anatomy and facial expressions. He uses just the right amount of shadow to give the book a look that's 'noir'... but not too 'noir'.

"Lark gives SOTC a filmic atmosphere that plays perfectly with Brubaker's prose-like script"

Lark looks at the players and the world they live in from a number of angles, giving SOTC a filmic atmosphere that plays perfectly with Brubaker's prose-like script to create a unique new voice of crime storytelling. James Sinclair's colors punctuate each panel's mood perfectly and gives the whole series a visual rhythm that's never boring or overpowering.

The crime genre as a whole has great potential for bringing new readers into comics.JINX:TORSO, WHITEOUT, KANE, JOHNNY DOUBLE and 100 BULLETS are all excellent books for 'evangelizing'. Believable characters, exciting stories and artwork that's at once down to earth and aesthetically pleasing. Whenever I'm trying to hook a new reader SCENE OF THE CRIME is always one of the first books I hand them.

Recommended

Marc Bryant is Features Editor of PopImage.

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