Scarlet #1 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Alex Maleev (art), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters)

The Story: We meet Scarlet, our protagonist, a girl who’s had enough with a broken world.

What’s Good: As a concept, Scarlet should be applauded.  It’s a bold move on the part of Bendis and Maleev and a pretty big creative risk.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a comic so completely disregard the fourth wall, as protagonist Scarlet literally talks at the reader for more or less the entirety of the book.

The result is that a certain connection is fostered between reader and Scarlet that carries a strong intimacy.  I found Scarlet to have a strong voice and I felt privy to the various nuances and complexities of a rounded, fully realized personality.  It’s also neat how all of this dialogue between reader and character leads to a sort of relentless stream of consciousness.  This led to greater immersion and an increased humanity and vulnerability on the part of Scarlet.

Without a doubt, this unique form of narration is at its very best when Bendis steers a bit from just having the character talk at us, and has her instead narrate a flashback of her life.  The fact that it’s not just straight, traditional narration but an intermingling of textboxes and Scarlet talking to the reader directly makes the flashback feel more involved and laden with emotion.  When we see Scarlet, in telling her story, speaking lines of dialogue from the flashback, it’s clear that Bendis is onto something special.

As always, Maleev’s work is slick and realistic.  His take on Scarlet helps as well.  She truly stands out and feels very much alive.  Maleev take on the environments also mirrors Scarlet’s mindset: in the present, it’s dirty and grey while in the flashback, it’s golden and sunny.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Secret Avengers #2 – Although it had a few flaws on art and dialogue, the basic premise, the impending danger, and excellent, understated buddy scene between between Hank McCoy and Steve Rogers moved Secret Avengers #2 to the top of my week. I would have been more categorical about it, but I don’t think that Brubaker has yet found Valkyrie’s character, but hopefully that will come.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #5 – Although I’m drooling over the prospect of a Tim Drake/Damian Wayne beatdown (Damian’s obviously going to take it on the chin), Brightest Day #5, with its secret cover, is promising to reveal the truth behind the formation of the White Lantern! Sorry, I’ve got to go with the giant reveal!

Other Top Picks: Red Robin #14, JSA All-Stars #8, Batman and Robin #13, Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #1, X-Force #28, X-Men #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Madame Xanadu #24 -Despite some big releases this week, Madame Xanadu stole this one.  Surprisingly solid artwork and a really anxious story made this a great done-in-one and fantastic start to a new “arc” that I wasn’t initially all that excited for.

Most Anticipated: Scarlet #1 -Bendis and Maleev on a creator-owned project.  That alone is enough to get me pumped.  Factor in what looks to be a cool female protagonist and a dystopian near-future and I’m in.  The first issue isn’t even out yet and already I’m wishing this was a monthly.

Other Picks: Shadowland #1, Avengers: the Children’s Crusade #1, Casanova #1, Batman & Robin #13, Secret Six #23, Scalped #39, iZombie #3, Sweet Tooth #11

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Death of Dracula #1 – Sometimes it’s nice to have a lighter week in comics where something like Death of Dracula can sneak in and steal the cheese for top comic.  I bought this merely because I thought it would tie in with the new X-Men vs. Vampires story line.  It really doesn’t do that, but it gives an unexpectedly deep and rich overview of vampires (in all their forms) in the Marvel Universe.  I’d actually like to see more of this.

Most Anticipated: Amazing Spider-Man #636 – Out of ALL the big books coming out this week, I think I’m most excited to see what really happened when Spider-Man apparently died at the end of #635.  Having had two weeks to think about it, I’m pretty sure that it was Kaine in the suit.  Still, I read ~60 comics per month and I can’t tell you the last time a comic mystery was on my mind for weeks.

Other Top Picks: X-Men #1, Scarlet #1, Shadowland #1, The Walking Dead #74, Batman & Robin #13

Joe’s Top Picks

Best from the Past Week: Death of Dracula #1 – I had nothing but low expectations, both about this one-shot and the X-Men launch starting this week helmed by writer Victor Girschler.  After reading this well-thought out and beautifully pencilled one-shot, though?  I can’t wait to see where this story goes.  I almost wish this was the first issue of just a vampire-centric tale in the Marvel Universe without all the super-heroes, but I’ll take what I can get.  At least these vamps don’t sparkle.

Most Anticipated: X-Force #28 – Really, is there any other choice?  This is the penultimate chapter in the suberb Second Coming crossover, and it’s the final issue of Kyle’s & Yost’s X-Force series before it’s relaunched with a new creative team.  Throw in Mike Choi on pencils and you know this comic, the best X-Title in years, is going out with a hell of a bang.

Other picks: Irredeemable #15, Batman and Robin #13, Absolute Planetary Volume 1 HC, Brightest Day #5, Red Robin #14,
Secret Six #23, Walking Dead #74, Amazing Spider-man #636, Avengers The Children’s Crusade #1, Shadowland #1, Scarlet #1, Thanos Sourcebook, The Stand Hardcases #2, X-Men #1, X-Women #1