Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Phil Winslade
Colorist: Nathan Eyring & Chris Chuckry
Letterer: John E. Workman
Trade Paperback
Published by DC Vertigo 1999
$14.95

Reviewed by Marc Bryant

One of the black marks on comics today is the lack of strong, believable female characters. And deservedly so - the majority of female comics characters, particularly those few with their own titles, are quasi-human super models with gravity defying breasts, size twelve waistlines and motivations that generally never go beyond striking their next pinup pose.

This, it seems, is the way of things and it has probably cost the comics industry enough readers to make up for any sales slump suffered in the last twenty years. The premise of NEVADA, the story of a Las Vegas showgirl who has been chosen to uphold the cosmic balance between all realities, may sound like typical "bad girl" comics fare. But it's actually a stereotype-breaking tour de force that sets a solid standard for the depiction of women in comics.

With NEVADA, writer and creator Steve Gerber has crafted an off-beat story that defies classification while delivering the solid plotline, rich characterization, strong dialogue, and quirky social commentary that became his trademark with works like HOWARD THE DUCK, MAN-THING and the yet to be completed VOID INDIGO.

"The villain is classic Gerber; a mobster whose head has been replaced by a piece of Americana that has to be seen to believed"

Nevada, the star character, is a cipher as far as her background, but her convictions are as evident and in your face as any other fictional character you can name. She demands respect and takes no shit from her ex-boyfriend-turned-stalker, or the cosmic powers who choose her to take up the sword from her predecessor (a homeless, ex-physics professor who can only operate while thoroughly intoxicated).

The villain, De Vesuvio, is classic Gerber; a mobster whose head has been replaced by a piece of Americana that has to be seen to believed. The rest of the supporting cast serves their purpose well, putting Nevada and the story through their paces. Gerber uses these great characters to deftly eliminate any need for club-footed exposition or bloated "voice-overs" that have become the hallmark in too much of today's storytelling.

The story itself is lean and economical, without sacrificing any depth. The scenes are quick, keeping the whole yarn fast-paced and perfectly balancing the quiet, down to earth moments with the trippy, multi-dimensional excursions. The text pages that separate the chapter breaks help to spice up some essential introspective scenes that might have bogged down the good rhythm if presented in sequential panels with the rest of the story.

Phil Winslade's art is phenomenal. Not as dense or busy as GODDESS or AMAZONIA, on NEVADA Winslade presents nice, open panels that avoid the typical claustrophobic effect of most Vertigo titles without sacrificing any depth or detail whatsoever. All of the characters are instantly distinguishable from each other, and their facial expressions speak volumes. His painted covers on the original six issue series were worth the price of admission alone.

The real highlight of NEVADA though, is the prelude from VERTIGO: WINTER'S EDGE 1, 'Piss On Earth'. This is an irreverent, hilarious jab at the institution of Christmas and pop culture in general that rivals anything seen in PREACHER or TRANSMETROPOLITAN for sheer, delightful audacity.

"Sterling proof that female comics characters can be so much more than fanboy fantasies"

There's only one problem with the collected edition of NEVADA, and it's a big one: the packaging. Bless Vertigo for releasing the trade at all, but on inspection I have to wonder why they bothered. There's no original cover (instead using a reprint of the cover from the first issue) and, like all recent Vertigo collections, there are no 'extras'.

I used to love the introductions to the PREACHER, SANDMAN, TRANSMET and other collections almost as much as the stories themselves. An introduction by NEVADA supporter Neil Gaiman could have done wonders for the sales on this book and helped to ensure the series' continuation (sadly not happening at this point). And I like to see the covers presented full page, prefacing each issue, rather than crammed onto a gallery page.

Despite all that, NEVADA is still a top-notch book. It's a worthy addition to any reader's library, and sterling proof that female comics characters can be so much more than centerfold fodder for fanboy fantasies.

Recommended

Marc Bryant is Features Editor of PopImage.

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