By Sam King

Tinseltown is an intriguing story with a solid start that seems to want to begin a discussion about the thin line that can sometimes exist between fact and fiction. This first issue is a strong start to what could be a comic that discusses truth, responsibility, gender roles and expectations, seeking dreams, and how sometimes we may settle for something different from what we hoped for to have the chance to reach what we think we desire most.

Tinseltown is the story of Abigail Moore, a young woman in the early 1900's living in Los Angeles and wanting to be a police officer like her father was. Since her father’s passing, she has wanted to be a police officer which was not the gender norm for women. While it is mentioned that a couple of female officers work with the LAPD, Abigail is denied a position there, possibly because they had hit their ‘quota’ of women officers. She sees an ad for a movie studio seeking city roles including that of police officers, so she decides to go and try to get the job.

Abigail is a very charming character, who at this point seems highly naïve. She doesn’t seem particularly ditzy as she recognizes the gender divide present in her life occupationally, but doesn’t seem to realize that the ad asks for “auditions’ and that the police officer job may not be what she thinks. Maybe she is just so hopeful that she is willing to disbelieve that it could be anything other than what she has worked so hard for and wants it so badly.

When she goes to audition, Abigail makes a possible friend, and she is also given the position, although the women going through the audition line seems very distant and stoic. She recognizes that Abigail does not understand what the job is and seems to understand what Abigail is perceiving, but to some degree also seems to think that Abigail is putting herself into a character role and actively choosing not to break character. Both of the women present in the audition sequence seem to have their own ideas of what is occurring during the exchange so it will be interesting to see how their future dynamic plays out. Everyone around the studio seems to have an idea of what is happening, as well as some secrets yet to be uncovered, apart from Abigail. When she asks for her uniform, a woman says costume.

Around this point is when we start seeing some more of the gender divide and expectation creep in. It is implied that the outfit is a certain way by the costume manager because the guy in charge likes to “give people what they want,” and this is stated suggestively. When she gets her “weapons,” Abigail finally catches on, and the audition supervisor explains what Abigail has authority to do. She also says that if Abigail does well, she can put in a good word that may help her reach her career dreams in the future, with no guarantee. The friend she makes at the start of the audition, Frankie, also lands a job and seems nice. However, I get the feeling that things in this place are going to be twisting around as curtains get pulled back, so we will see how much of this setting and the people in it are genuine and how much is nothing but an act. We also get our first cliffhanger which puts Abigail on the spot during a potential crisis.

Overall, I think this is a very solid start to the story. It is handled well and creates an interesting premise. Police officers and amateur officers in shady areas are nothing new, but this story adds a new dimension that I’ve yet to see when it comes to the setting. Abigail is also interesting and sweet, yet naïve, so she is already likable and clearly has room to develop over the course of the next four issues. This was the best comic that I read this week by far. It seems to have the most potential for overall development and entertainment. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone willing to try something new that kind of involves the back workings of Hollywood in the 1900's. The author’s note shows that there is a lot of actual historical inspiration for this story and that they have a personal connection to this subject matter, so it will be interesting to see where it goes. This isn’t one that is being done just for kicks or for money. This comic is genuine visual storytelling, and I’m excited about the next issue.

Score: 4/5

Tinseltown #1
Alterna Comics