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Review: Voodoo #1-3

Review by: Colton Cabeal This series first grabbed my attention for the cover art, as I’m sure it did for many readers. The fact is that I’ve been on and off with comics far too long. In hopes to change that I’ve decided to review what I read and what I've read is Voodoo issues 1-3.

The story is simple, two agents, one male, Agent Evens and one female, Agent Fallon are staking out a suspect named “Voodoo” at a strip club. The male detective’s enjoyment of the situation is enough to drive his partner to back to the hotel. While on his own Evens decides to have a little private show with his suspect. As he attempts to learn her story while he runs his mouth and reveals all the info his agency happens to know. Our friend Voodoo then shows her true colors and kills the Mr. Evens. Then she shape-shifts thus changing into his appearance and tricks the Fallon into some personal time. Now Voodoo learns more information on why she's being hunted. However, Agent Fallon learns that her partner is still at the club a bloody mess, and that Voodoo has tricked her but also escaped. Fallon soon joins up with other members of her team and they corner Voodoo in an abandoned looking house. Fallon wants to go in alone however as clever as she is our main character, Voodoo ends up slipping away.

Voodoo-1Priscilla Kitaen is an interesting character and her motives are unclear until the third issue, but even then it still leaves you to wonder. It seems as if there’s more to her than revealed but it’s told in a very subtle narrative of her own thought. There are just enough details for some action to come into the pages. It seems that Ron Marz has a way of not revealing too much but at the same time attempts to dive right in which gives the story an awkward pacing. One of the characters in particular is introduced and clearly by how he’s presented he’ll be sticking around yet there isn’t more given than that. Priscilla and Agent Fallon which as of now seem to be the main focus are given more character; yet at the same time more so with Priscilla we’re given a lot more questions. It’s the type of storytelling that leads you to believe it’s all been planned out, the point of which is to screw with you. It leaves the impression that it could all just be made up as they go with no real goal in sight.

The artwork of the books are very solid, the art enriched the characters and their interactions with each other. No one seemed distant or as if they didn't belong. The way the panels are composed worked really well in the aspect of showing the narrative. The colors that go along with it work well, they’re simple in a way and don’t drown the scenes in detail, which gives it a stylized look that’s consistent and only enriches the overall experience. As I said the draw for me were the covers which are just pleasant to look at, it’s nice to see that the interior didn't disappoint.

The third issue has a guest appearance that leaves you wondering about the series, I’ll see how it pans out but I’m on the fence with this one so far. The comic is different from other new 52 titles with art that has just enough push to keep me interested. I’ll say it’s not the strongest first issue I’ve read, though more could have been done to set up the overall story they’re aiming for. The little that’s given should be enough to keep the reader’s attention.

Score: 3/5

Writer: Ron Marz Publisher: DC Comics