American Virgin #3
Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Head Part Three
Seeking Cassie’s killers, Adam searches Mozambique.
Writer: Steven T. Seagle
Pencils: Becky Cloonan
Inks: Jim Rugg
Colors: Brian Miller
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Shelly Bond
Cover Art: Frank Quietly
Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo
Review: Having missed the second issue of this series, I would again like to implore DC Comics to begin installing a “previously” page in each issue. Really, it would make things so much easier on the reader. On the other hand, since I have read issue one, filling in the blanks wasn’t too much of a chore.
His girlfriend brutally murdered, national abstinence guru Adam and his sister have traveled to Africa to reclaim her and find out what happened. The deeply religious Adam is feeling his faith tested and has a conversation with God this issue about how He could have allowed such a thing to happen to such a faithful servant.
Seagle really has impressed me with this character. I was afraid, when I heard the concept for this series, that the star would be a real Bible-thumpin’, fire and brimstone Christian stereotype, and while those stereotypes certainly exist in other characters, Adam himself is really a very likable, believable human being. His faith is an important part of the character, but it’s never held up to ridicule - only examination. His reactions and choices this issue are totally understandable for a young man in his position who has been pulled to the breaking point, and it is that strong characterization that makes the book worth reading.
Cloonan and Rugg’s artwork is decent, if not mind-blowing. They - and especially colorist Brian Miller deserve a lot of credit for giving this entire issue a sort of blown-out, dusty look, perfect for the desert setting. Some of the faces are a little blocky and inconsistent, but nothing too terrible.
While not the best of the recent crop of Vertigo launches, it’s one of the better ones, and I suspect Seagle may have a cult hit on his hands.
Rating: 8/10
Title: Head Part Three
Seeking Cassie’s killers, Adam searches Mozambique.
Writer: Steven T. Seagle
Pencils: Becky Cloonan
Inks: Jim Rugg
Colors: Brian Miller
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Shelly Bond
Cover Art: Frank Quietly
Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo
Review: Having missed the second issue of this series, I would again like to implore DC Comics to begin installing a “previously” page in each issue. Really, it would make things so much easier on the reader. On the other hand, since I have read issue one, filling in the blanks wasn’t too much of a chore.
His girlfriend brutally murdered, national abstinence guru Adam and his sister have traveled to Africa to reclaim her and find out what happened. The deeply religious Adam is feeling his faith tested and has a conversation with God this issue about how He could have allowed such a thing to happen to such a faithful servant.
Seagle really has impressed me with this character. I was afraid, when I heard the concept for this series, that the star would be a real Bible-thumpin’, fire and brimstone Christian stereotype, and while those stereotypes certainly exist in other characters, Adam himself is really a very likable, believable human being. His faith is an important part of the character, but it’s never held up to ridicule - only examination. His reactions and choices this issue are totally understandable for a young man in his position who has been pulled to the breaking point, and it is that strong characterization that makes the book worth reading.
Cloonan and Rugg’s artwork is decent, if not mind-blowing. They - and especially colorist Brian Miller deserve a lot of credit for giving this entire issue a sort of blown-out, dusty look, perfect for the desert setting. Some of the faces are a little blocky and inconsistent, but nothing too terrible.
While not the best of the recent crop of Vertigo launches, it’s one of the better ones, and I suspect Seagle may have a cult hit on his hands.
Rating: 8/10