Crosswind #1

Writer: Gail Simone

Artist: Cat Staggs

Publisher: Image

This was so fantastic. Go out and buy this book.

I had no idea what the premise of this title was, and I had no idea what I was in for. Writer Gail Simone presents two different stories: we meet a man named Cason, who seems to be a spy or hitman. We also meet Juniper, a woman who seems to be going through a lot of personal stress. Her husband's boss is coming over for dinner and her husband is pressuring her to wow him. The stories are very disconnected and don't fit together at all, until they do and you have a nice grin on your face.

While not exactly the most original concept, it's all about the take on the story that makes or breaks its worth. Simone definitely makes it work, introducing us to these two very human characters, both very different from each other, and whose lives are only going to get worse from here. I really don't want to spoil the last few pages.

I didn't understand why the ending even happened in the first place. We clearly see someone cause this whole problem, which I won't spoil, and while Simone will definitely explore it in the coming issues, it came out of nowhere and I'd love some answers.

Simone's dialogue was great. The pace was great and every scene was well-plotted; we really get a feel of the dichotomy between Cason and Juniper, with each of them leading very different lives which you wouldn't think would ever intersect.

The art is by Cat Staggs, who steals the show here. Her art reminded me of Fiona Staples' work on Saga. The colouring was fantastic and her pencils were smooth. Her characters were very expressive, and I also loved her panelling. She also captured the difference between the two characters very well, with Cason having more noir-like or dramatic lighting, while Juniper's sections were more traditional; not exactly colourful, but subdued, just like the character seems to be.

This issue surprised me. I had no expectations and the story that Simone and Staggs are telling looks to be a lot of fun, with Staggs' art in particular being a standout.