Kelly Sue DeConnick
& Emma Rios “Pretty Deadly, Vol. 1” (Image, 2014)
If you’re not convinced that Image is the most creative
publisher in contemporary comics, take a look at this title. Pretty
Deadly is a mythpunk weird western.
Its creative team is two women.
I have to admit that I haven’t been familiar with Emma Rios’
work before this title. But wow. That’s clearly an oversight. This comic is absolutely gorgeous. Her illustrations tend to be ornate without
being cluttered or fussy. She uses a
warm palette heavy on the purples. It’s
dangerous and ugly and scary while being feminine and mysterious.
I’m familiar with Kelly Sue DeConnick’s work with Captain
Marvel and the Avengers, but I’ve never seen her attempt anything like
this. Writing myth heavy material
requires a different skill set than a contemporary cape book. I’m pleased that she makes the leap
easily.
I’d recommend Pretty Deadly highly to fans of the Sandman,
Catharine Valente, or Joe Lansdale. This
first volume wraps up the first story arc nicely, but I’m looking forward to
seeing where the story goes from here.
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