Sex Criminals #3
They said it was sexy, they said it was funny, it turned out to be rather lighthearted for the first couple of issues and now the suspense comes. At this point literally anything can happen, and we’re just waiting on the edge of our seat to see what comes next.
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artists: Chip Zdarsky, Becka Kinzie
Publisher: Image
Maybe by the third issue, the main characters would have lost their charm. If all they do is talk about sex, how interesting was it supposed to be? In fact, it’s remarkably interesting, and both our main characters continue to become more charming, Jon- as he regales the story of when he lost his virginity, and Suzie who has this odd fascination about the “butt stuff”. It’s cute and quirky, but it doesn’t stop there, there’s romance, and action, and suspense too. This issue pretty much has it all.
The backstory to the characters is such a genuine read, making them seem more real, despite all the glowing that seems to occur in their lives every once in a while. In the beginning, it was hard to determine whether Jon was a good guy or if he was a giant jerk, when referring to someone as, “this fucking guy” it can go either way, but this issue was his issue to shine as a genuine guy with genuine feelings for Suzie- whom it was easy to fall in love with from the get-go. Don’t worry; he doesn’t get all the glory though. She gets her own moment of shining, rock-star glory over three pages. Fraction comes close to stealing her spotlight but Zdarsky pulls through in making her the shining star, and readers know exactly how Jon feels as he falls for her, because it’s happening to us too.
Unintentional or not, Fraction gets his own role in the telling of the story, it’s not all from Suzie’s voice, and it’s about as funny as Sex Criminals has gotten so far. Which isn’t a bad thing. The story is wonderfully written with exciting characters and enough suspense to keep a reader going, but they promised funny, and it’s funny in small doses and certainly doesn’t read as a meant to be funny story. (Maybe I just have a particular sense of humour). It’s definitely quirky as opposed to funny which makes it endearing all the same, and it’s not quirky to the point of being annoying either. Sex Criminals seems to constantly be balancing on this fine tightrope, one small move in any direction and it could easily become annoying, or crass, or even boring, but it hasn’t happened yet, which is a testament to both Fraction and Zdarsky.
Zdarsky who manages to amaze with each issue, there’s a distinct style across the whole issue obviously, but there are also distinctive features when trying to portray different parts of the story as well. A lot of effects are used, for one the colourful glowing effect will never get dull, it’s too pretty, but we also see a film being played, and Suzie’s rock star tableau very much looks like a music video, and then even despite the glow effect of ‘The Quiet’, our mysterious characters also have a different take on them. They don’t entirely look like part of The Quiet as much as Suzie and Jon do, with their extra vibrant white jackets, and yet, just by looking at them, it’s clear that they’re not part of the ordinary either.
Much like the characters themselves whose stories as more is revealed make them more likable, the same goes for Sex Criminals. Each page takes a reader further into the story, revealing either more about the character, or their relationship, or that one step further into the mysterious plot. Nothing about it is an in your face, look how original this is, so like it, kind of story. It’s a build of quiet intrigue and the journey is the best part of the adventure.
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artists: Chip Zdarsky, Becka Kinzie
Publisher: Image
Maybe by the third issue, the main characters would have lost their charm. If all they do is talk about sex, how interesting was it supposed to be? In fact, it’s remarkably interesting, and both our main characters continue to become more charming, Jon- as he regales the story of when he lost his virginity, and Suzie who has this odd fascination about the “butt stuff”. It’s cute and quirky, but it doesn’t stop there, there’s romance, and action, and suspense too. This issue pretty much has it all.
The backstory to the characters is such a genuine read, making them seem more real, despite all the glowing that seems to occur in their lives every once in a while. In the beginning, it was hard to determine whether Jon was a good guy or if he was a giant jerk, when referring to someone as, “this fucking guy” it can go either way, but this issue was his issue to shine as a genuine guy with genuine feelings for Suzie- whom it was easy to fall in love with from the get-go. Don’t worry; he doesn’t get all the glory though. She gets her own moment of shining, rock-star glory over three pages. Fraction comes close to stealing her spotlight but Zdarsky pulls through in making her the shining star, and readers know exactly how Jon feels as he falls for her, because it’s happening to us too.
Unintentional or not, Fraction gets his own role in the telling of the story, it’s not all from Suzie’s voice, and it’s about as funny as Sex Criminals has gotten so far. Which isn’t a bad thing. The story is wonderfully written with exciting characters and enough suspense to keep a reader going, but they promised funny, and it’s funny in small doses and certainly doesn’t read as a meant to be funny story. (Maybe I just have a particular sense of humour). It’s definitely quirky as opposed to funny which makes it endearing all the same, and it’s not quirky to the point of being annoying either. Sex Criminals seems to constantly be balancing on this fine tightrope, one small move in any direction and it could easily become annoying, or crass, or even boring, but it hasn’t happened yet, which is a testament to both Fraction and Zdarsky.
Zdarsky who manages to amaze with each issue, there’s a distinct style across the whole issue obviously, but there are also distinctive features when trying to portray different parts of the story as well. A lot of effects are used, for one the colourful glowing effect will never get dull, it’s too pretty, but we also see a film being played, and Suzie’s rock star tableau very much looks like a music video, and then even despite the glow effect of ‘The Quiet’, our mysterious characters also have a different take on them. They don’t entirely look like part of The Quiet as much as Suzie and Jon do, with their extra vibrant white jackets, and yet, just by looking at them, it’s clear that they’re not part of the ordinary either.
Much like the characters themselves whose stories as more is revealed make them more likable, the same goes for Sex Criminals. Each page takes a reader further into the story, revealing either more about the character, or their relationship, or that one step further into the mysterious plot. Nothing about it is an in your face, look how original this is, so like it, kind of story. It’s a build of quiet intrigue and the journey is the best part of the adventure.
A Look Inside
