[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Alex Maleev
Summary
From the Eisner Award-winning team that brought you Daredevil and Iron Man comes the latest chapter in their critically acclaimed series SCARLET. Scarlet has fought back against the corruption that destroyed her life—and now the next American revolution is underway!
Positives
I like Alex Maleev’s cover a lot. It’s simple and unique among DC books. I think it’s really effective.
I also like Maleev’s interior art. The grungy style helps me understand and immerse myself in this world a little more.
Negatives
This story and these characters are still doing nothing for me. Everyone is either a violent jerk, a victim of a violent jerk or both. I can’t sympathize with anyone. I understand Bendis is going for shock value and social commentary but I don’t know what this story is saying. If there is a point to all this, it is not coming across to me. It feels like the issue wants the stylistic trappings of this kind of story but there’s no substance. The issue ends up coming across as hollow and cynical.
Verdict
I didn’t like this issue. I really want this story to work because I think it has a lot of potential. I want to love it but it just isn’t grabbing me in any kind of meaningful way. Despite some cool art, I think this issue is dull and a little mean spirited.
