The Gentleman #1by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 Oliver Solomon currently works as a private eye, but he has an unusual power, which is introduced to us when he uses it to help a client. However, someone from Oliver's past shows up in his apartment in need of Oliver and his powers to help with a problem that comes with baggage, suspicion, and danger.I like how this comic opens with something we already know -- the unpleasant results of learning about an affair through a private eye -- and uses it as a way to introduce Oliver's power and his good heart. The power itself is not fully explained, though we get to see it in action twice in this first issue. It is a creepy-looking projection of the self, using a mirror as a gateway of sorts. What interests me even more than the power itself and how Oliver uses it is the apparent side-effect to his body. This comic is set up to be a horror story with rich cultural context and a character-driven plot, both of which make it a good read and something different than anything else out there. I especially love that Oliver is bisexual and that we learn this not because it's important to the plot but because it's important to understanding the dynamics of the relationships between characters and how they interact with the world around them. More importantly, it reads naturally. The conversation between Oliver, Ralph, and Espere touches on the shared troubled history between Oliver and Ralph while providing insight into the attitudes and perspectives of all three of them. The art is fantastic. It's realistic, so it's attractive but also dark and gritty, which works well with the horror theme. Plus, the supernatural elements seem eerily real. I love Espere's natural hair and how it curls out away from her head in weird angles. It's a design element that also plays with other imagery in this comic like the twists and turns of the marks on Oliver's body and the symbols Espere draws on the floor. The Africana art in Espere's apartment adds another layer of detail to her character and possibly the plot. The coloring is also great, but it's especially wowing given how well it depicts black characters in a dark / nighttime setting and keeps the light sources during all scenes realistic. Panel layout, including what's depicted in what kind of panel and panel-less overlaps, make it a more engaging read as well. The plot and even the supernatural reveal at the end of this issue aren't enough on their own to really hook the reader. However, the characters themselves are, so when you take in the whole picture, it's a solid intro issue that does leave me intrigued. I definitely want to read more about Oliver and how he'll work with Ralph and Espere to deal with the issue they have. I'm also curious how the cultural elements will play into the specific horror elements of this comic. If anything, I wish this issue were longer, but it stops at a good point. This comic was successfully funded through Kickstarter. If you missed out the first time around, follow the creators online and I'm sure you'll hear about future opportunities to snag a copy. Written: September 2, 2018
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