[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers.]
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artist: Kenneth Rocafort
Inker: Dan Brown
Summary
As the title of this book lets us know, this is all about Red Her…er, I mean, Artemis. After she and Jason do some major damage to a bunch of lowlife turds (more on that below), they share a drink and we learn about Akila, Artemis’ best friend from the Amazonian desert of Bana-Mighdall. We discover that against her wishes, Akila became the Shim’tar which is essentially the Bana-Mighdall’s version of Wonder Woman.
We find out that a warring group of ne’er-do-wells find their way to Bana-Mighdall and Akila uses the Bow of Ra to kill pretty much everyone and everything. That raises some red flags and thus, everyone’s favorite Amazonian Princess shows up. In typical hero meets hero for the first time fashion, Diana and Artemis have a row. It is violent. Then, in typical hero meets hero for the first time, after the fight, they team up to take down Akila, who has gone mad with power. Artemis is sad. The bow is lost. “Let’s go find it.” Indeed Jason, let us go.
Positives
Look at that first page. No. Seriously, take a long look. Kenneth Rocafort has thrown down a gauntlet. I had to spend 10 minutes just looking at the reflections in the mirror. Every face is more menacing than the next. Jason had on his hood so he stands out even more. Then, after those 10 minutes, you take a look at the bartender. His life sucks. How do we know? He is worn around the eyes. His arm muscles are bulging and ropey as though he has broken up his fair share of low-life bar fights. He works in a crappy bar and if that is not enough, the Red Hood is bugging him for information about a guy who could and will most likely inflict a lot of pain. Damn. And that, dear reader, is just the first page. Page two has broken mirror where we see Artemis doing what she does best. So amazing. Welcome aboard Mr. Rocafort. Please, stay a while.
Scott Lobdell has given us so much depth in just 8 issues. I can only imagine what is coming next. I love this book in general, but his issue was just spot on. There was just enough jokes to remind us what book we we are reading, but the emotional roller coaster is real and it is violent. While Bizzaro is not in this issue, that is OK because Artemis needed her story to shine. It does here.
Negatives
If you love Bizarro above all else, you will be sad. Other than that…Nothing to report here.
Verdict
Have I mentioned how much I wish this book were bi-monthly? I really wish this book were bi-monthly. Everything about it is good. The upside for you is that there only 8 issues so far. Read. Get on board. If not, Artemis might punch you in the head.
