Comic Book Review - The Dead Lucky #1

Rob reviews The Dead Lucky #1...

Comics that deal with the ugliness of war are not a new thing. Countless times we've seen various characters attempt to adjust to normal life whilst coping with various degrees of PTSD or other side-effects of prolonged combat and loss. The Dead Lucky tells the story of Bibiana Lopez-Yang, a recently discharged soldier who's back on home soil. Not only is Bibi now having to adjust to the traumatic stress that the front line has left her with - but she's also able to conduct electricity. With her home neighbourhood under the threat of an imminent gang war, and a greedy technology corporation controlling the city, Bibi now has to protect her loved ones from harm. 

Set within a futuristic version of San Francisco, The Dead Lucky opens with the scenes of a city at war. Due to rampant crime, the tech company Morrow has taken control of the city's streets. Utilising high-tech drones and surveillance, Morrow aims on cracking down on crime whilst making San Francisco a "city of tomorrow". Naturally, things don't go to plan and standing in their way is the Salvation gang. Tagged as domestic terrorists, the group aim to take back the city from Morrow's control - regardless of collateral damage. With the majority of citizens caught up in the crossfire, San Francisco is rapidly becoming a warzone. 

Bibi lives in one neighbourhood that's still under Morrow's control. However, it's not long before Morrow decides to withdraw its security forces from the region which then leaves it open for attack. As such Bibi takes matters into her own hands as she uses her powers to pilot a mech that's been made by her best friend Eddie. Now making a stand, this is only the beginning of Bibiana's story. 

The Dead Lucky #1 does a great job of introducing the reader to its world and central characters. This opening issue shadows Bibiana as she goes through her day. From showing her at her mandatory therapy appointment to then taking the fight to the streets, everything is done in a way that gives you plenty of exposition, whilst keeping the story flowing. 

Bibiana herself is already shaping up to be an interesting character. Not only does writer Melissa Flores utilise Bibiana's mental health as a way to explain the exposition in a somewhat 4th wall breaking way. Conclude the issue and...well you'll see exactly who she's talking to. The other thing that makes the character so intriguing is how she got these unique powers. While Flores hasn't delved into the exact nature, there are small clues that give that hint towards the origins. 

Bringing everything to life is artist French Carlomagno. Carlomagno brings plenty of clean line-work that allows him to pack each scene with plenty of detail. There are a lot of contexts given within the artwork that helps to add emotion to what the characters are experiencing. Whether it is the graffiti-scrawled walls or the gleaming Morrow security drones, each scene has its story to tell. When the action kicks in, Carlomagno then switches to a more frantic style as we see the stylish ferocity of Bibiana's electric prowess. 

Rounding this spectacle off is colourist Mattia Iacono who utilises that style seen within Radiant Black to perfect effect here. Each scene is awash with colour that keeps you drawn to the focal points, whilst simultaneously highlighting the finer details. 

While The Dead Lucky #1 starts slowly, it quickly ramps up its action to an "electric" final act. Bibiana is a complex character whose journey through this world is no doubt going to take her to some dark places. With the character already displaying troubles with her powers, and the threat of both Morrow AND the Salvation - The Dead Lucky is going to be an interesting read in the months to come. 

 

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Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev