Fairlady #2 Review

Written by: Brian Schirmer

Illustrated by: Claudia Balboni

Colored by: Marissa Louise

Lettering/Design by: David Bowman

Published by: Image

In my previous review, I mentioned how I found the idea of done in one stories to be an intriguing premise for a new series and issue 2 cements it for me - this is going to be a really enjoyable series. The one thing that I’ll be curious to see going forward is whether or not Schirmer will continue using only mysteries as the basis of his stories, or will other “police”-style stories start cropping up.

As far as mysteries go, this issue’s pacing works for the most part throughout as Jenner Faulds is tasked with finding out whether or not a woman’s husband truly did die at the hands of a dragon as The Feld’s Constabulary says he did.

Introducing new elements to the world, and explaining their relevance, is, for me, a really good choice on Schirmer’s part as it fleshes out the world that is being shown to the reader. We had known from the recap in this issue that Faulds is the only Fairlady in The Feld but we hadn’t, as of yet, been introduced to other Fairman. This changes in this issue as Faulds gets to interact with a handful of them throughout the story and you can start seeing where she fits in, if at all, with the rest of them.

The best part of this issue is how Schirmer, coupled with his world-building, is able to sprinkle in character development throughout Faulds search for the truth. We get to know a little more about her, her relationship with her partner Oanu, her relationship with Nejla (at Ozias Froat’s tower) as well as her relationship with other members of The Feld. Through it all, Faulds finds the truth, as is promised on the cover.  

Coupled with the fun mystery is Claudia Balboni and Marissa Louise on art. This issue, Balboni really played around with the paneling throughout the issue which made her art stand out. For one page, she uses ever-shrinking panels to showcase Faulds inner-thinking, for another she has four square panels with the lettering on the top and bottom of each. There’s plenty of use of negative space to concentrate the eye on the panels as well. It’s a lot of fun little techniques used to really showcase her art throughout. Add some great lettering choices from Bowman, and you have a really beautiful issue to look at.