In an industry obsessed with betrayal, deceit, and intrigue, Velvet reigns supreme. That about sums it up. I’ve been so impressed with this series, and not in a fairweather kind of way. This book keeps you entertained in a manner that I didn’t think was possible in a comic book. So many stories that hit the shelves in current comics tend to be parodies of themselves. It’s like the creators are wondering how much they can make their stories similar to something, without completely ripping it off. Brubaker and Epting have created something that has the potential to put all other books to shame. This book has the momentum to raise the standard of what an ongoing series should be. When these two guys took on this task, they intended to shatter expectations in every way, shape, and form. The first arc comes to a halting conclusion. Light finally creeps into the shadows of Velvet’s past. And we’re left with a sense of anticipation unlike anything that exists elsewhere. What does this realization mean for the future of the series?
I’m not going to waste your time with a bunch of fluff. Brubaker’s script is stellar. I haven’t been this pleased with an arc conclusion since City Fall.
And this is by far some of the best work that I have ever seen by Steve Epting. He really brought every single ounce of talent that he had to this month’s issue. I think that I stated in the first review of this book that I ever did, that the use of shadows was the most impressive thing about Velvet. That still stands, but we get to see him really take a chance on some outdoor daytime stuff that is just marvelous.
I’m so glad that I’ve decided to stick with this series. It’s definitely the highlight of the month. I have no idea how many issues of Velvet there are going to be, but I’m definitely going to ride this series out. It’s rare that I stick with something all the way to the end, but it doesn’t look like I have much of a choice in this case. So many different comics run out of steam after a few arcs, but I think that it’s safe to say that that won’t be the case here.
Score: 5/5
Writer: Ed Brubaker Artist: Steve Epting Publisher: Image Comics Price: $2.99 Release Date: 5/21/14 Format: Ongoing, Print/Digital