Scalped v1: #5

Hoka Hey
Part 2 (of 2)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

Lots going on here, both in the present and in the past. Not much can be said without giving away important information. The focal points in the past reveal more about Red Crow and Bad Horse. In the present the focus is on Bad Horse and Carol. Someone is dead before the chapter ends. The killer's identity is implied but that may just be misdirection.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

DC Direct Currents #24

Books shipping in January 1990

I dug this out of a long box yesterday. I'm not sure why I kept it but I'm not going to throw it away now. I've got more promotional material from DC and other companies, most of which is from the late 80s or early 90s.

There are check marks next to the two books that I bought at the time, Firestorm #95 and Shadow Strikes #6. Several years ago I bought the trade collection of the 3-part Adam Strange prestige mini-series. Damn good read, as I recall. I should reread it one of these days. I have the issue of Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen which is featured on page 8.

Scalped v1: #4

Hoka Hey
Part 1 (of 2)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

Great chapter. Lots of visual story-telling and wordless panels. The plot thickens as more is revealed. The chapter opens with a flashback to the mid-70s. Two characters that have already been introduced are part of the flashback. A few pages in it is clear that one of them still thinks about that day, by the end of the chapter is clear that it haunts them both. It was a pivotal moment in their lives.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Scalped v1: #3

Indian Country
Part 3 (of 3)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

This installment doesn't wind things down as much as set them up for future story arcs. A lot happens without an excessive amount of exposition. The action set piece that takes place on the first few pages of this chapter is beautifully drawn and colored. Bad Horse is a man on a mission serving more than one master, without a sanctuary or release valve. This first arc is a tease, sex without orgasm. Even though it won't appeal to everyone it will hook some who crave dark stories of reluctant heroes who face impossible odds while on multiple quests.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Scalped v1: #2

Indian Country
Part 2 (of 3)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

Better, not quite as heavy handed as the first issue; not quite as focused on exposition as #1. Bad Horse and Red Crow seem a litle more nuanced after reading this issue; they are now more human and not quite so much the forces of nature or stereotypes that they seemed to be. Still getting used to R.M. Guéra's work, which a first glance seems very similar to that of other long standing artists of books published under the Vertigo imprint.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Scalped v1: #1

Indian Country
Part 1 (of 3)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

Sets the scene, introduces (what are presumably) the main character and a number of the supporting cast. The reveal at the end of the issue was just one of many. Every one of the fives scenes in this issue seems to introduce vital information. It isn't difficult to understand why this, the first issue is so heavily loaded with exposition, but hopefully future issues won't be told in quite the same heavy-handed manner.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics