Review: Shutter #5

I really have no description that I can pin down to Shutter.  It has elements of Lara Croft and Indiana Jones. But then, it ventures out into territory that is more of an ancient Roman play where there are strange family connections, crazy plot twists, and comedic elements.  If that is not enough, you can add all the future and bright brave new world aspects of it. It has elements of everything.  And it is presented in an exceptionally pretty artistic package fresh with ghost ninjas, skeletal butlers, and talking cat alarm clocks that interact with you. It is a fully detailed comic read to say the least. Now with all of this detail, it would be real easy for the whole thing to fall off the rails.  It is busy and bold. But, more like a Jackson Pollock painting, there is a method to the mayhem.  Writer Joe Keatinge and artist Leila Del Duca have created something unique, interesting, and worthy of your investment to read.  It is one hell of a ride that you will want to ride again and again.

And now at 5 issues in, I am very happy to say that nothing has changed. In fact, I think it might have actually got even better with this one, which is saying a lot since all of the previous installments have been so rich and awesome in their presentation.  Interesting and unexpected plot twists occur that will leave you shaking your head and trying to figure exactly what is going on.  Of course, in the case of Miss Kate Kristopher, our heroine in this tale, she too is scratching her head at the end of this one.

You see, something happened to her father that she witnessed (and even participated in) ten years ago.  This action may even be the reason that she quit her adventurous ways. With that event, things were considered as what they were. But with a new development in the present, Shutter05_Coverwell things may not have been as they seemed so many years ago. Also, it looks like Miss Kristopher’s circle of allies is getting smaller and smaller as family secrets and mysteries are beginning to reveal themselves, putting  our lady’s world into a topsy-turvy mode.

Joe Keatinge continues to blow me away with his rapid fire writing style that flows quite expeditiously. You don’t have a lot of time to stop and smell the roses as the action is fast paced and runs at a very brisk jog.

But when you do stop and smell the roses however, you see a detailed web of wonder generously portrayed by the artistic chops of Del Duca.  Leila Del Duca can draw, well.  And the fullness of detail is amazing.  This is a comic that deserves to have two readings as it really engulfs you into a whole new world of detail and wonder.

Like all of the issues prior, some big bombs are occurring that leaves the reader guessing.  I think the one in this particular issue might just be the best and biggest to date that may just change the whole direction of the story.  Whatever is about to occur, I know that  am ready to get back in line and ride it again.


Score: 5/5


Writer: Joe Keatinge Artist: Leila Del Duca Publisher: Image Comics Price: $3.50 Release Date: 8/13/14 Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital