Good Cop Bad Cop Casebook #2
by Jacob H Baxter
Well, friends and neighbors, it looks like the top ten well has run dry for the moment. I reckon I have to get back to actual writing. I chose to review Good Cop Bad Cop Casebook #2, by Jim Alexander.
Set in the city of Glasgow, it immediately got my attention. Seeing as how a great deal of my ancestry is Scottish, the culture has always tugged at my heart strings. Some of the dialogue is even written in dialect form. I found this to be a very nice touch of ambiance for the issue. A lot more titles could benefit from also employing this mechanic.
Well, friends and neighbors, it looks like the top ten well has run dry for the moment. I reckon I have to get back to actual writing. I chose to review Good Cop Bad Cop Casebook #2, by Jim Alexander.
Set in the city of Glasgow, it immediately got my attention. Seeing as how a great deal of my ancestry is Scottish, the culture has always tugged at my heart strings. Some of the dialogue is even written in dialect form. I found this to be a very nice touch of ambiance for the issue. A lot more titles could benefit from also employing this mechanic.
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The characters are terribly well written. Jim Alexander really knows what he is doing. They play well off of one another and there is a sense of connectivity often missing in the bigger name comics. According to the introduction in this book, he has already received an award for Best British Black and White Comic. Deservedly so. Not to mention, Stan Lee was in the audience, as it so boldly states. Awesomeness always recognizes awesomeness.
I'd also like to touch on the fact that it was done in black and white. Many people might be turned off or write it off due to the fact that it is monotone. But, they would be making the big mistake of underestimating it. You don't need colour to achieve greatness. One of my favourite movies, Clerks, was done in black and white, and it was quite entertaining.
Both Luke Cooper and Will Pickering did a great job with their respective art duties. Even though they sketched many different pages, they were on the same page when it comes to quality. One thing really stuck out to me. The faces and body language of the characters took centre stage. Although the lettering done by Jim Campbell was spectacular, most of the scenes could have played out without it. The body language and facial depictions was on point every time. I really can't say enough about it.
I'd also like to touch on the fact that it was done in black and white. Many people might be turned off or write it off due to the fact that it is monotone. But, they would be making the big mistake of underestimating it. You don't need colour to achieve greatness. One of my favourite movies, Clerks, was done in black and white, and it was quite entertaining.
Both Luke Cooper and Will Pickering did a great job with their respective art duties. Even though they sketched many different pages, they were on the same page when it comes to quality. One thing really stuck out to me. The faces and body language of the characters took centre stage. Although the lettering done by Jim Campbell was spectacular, most of the scenes could have played out without it. The body language and facial depictions was on point every time. I really can't say enough about it.
Normally when we think about comics, we think of action scenes and splash pages filled with movement and action. But, something as simple as a face can really make a difference. They conveyed the mood and setting with great impact. I really enjoyed looking over the faces and posturing to get the most possible out of the book.
Joel Carpenter's cover also did a lot for the book. The symbolism was apparent from the first glance. The very title of Good Cop Bad Cop was reflected in the cover. It has a very Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde vibe. Those characters were even referenced in the book, along with Judge Dredd. I love pop culture references.
Derek Dow was also very creative with the book design. Most comics are very straightforward with presentation; panel, panel, panel, splash page, more panels. But, the case book sections were an awesome addition. Being it was based upon law enforcement characters, the case books were perfect for this. They added a lot of back story and fleshing out to the title. It was a stroke of pure brilliance.
Overall, it was a great book. I truly recommend it. It was enjoyable from start to finish. The more I read these comics from the smaller publishing companies, the more I enjoy them. I wish more people would give them a shot. Sure, I'll always be a diehard Captain America fan. Deadpool will tickle my fancy with his wild antics. But, why should we contain ourselves with only the big names? Good books, comic or otherwise, are like peach pie, there is always room for more. But, sometimes you have to go away from the big name brands to find the most satisfying ones.
Joel Carpenter's cover also did a lot for the book. The symbolism was apparent from the first glance. The very title of Good Cop Bad Cop was reflected in the cover. It has a very Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde vibe. Those characters were even referenced in the book, along with Judge Dredd. I love pop culture references.
Derek Dow was also very creative with the book design. Most comics are very straightforward with presentation; panel, panel, panel, splash page, more panels. But, the case book sections were an awesome addition. Being it was based upon law enforcement characters, the case books were perfect for this. They added a lot of back story and fleshing out to the title. It was a stroke of pure brilliance.
Overall, it was a great book. I truly recommend it. It was enjoyable from start to finish. The more I read these comics from the smaller publishing companies, the more I enjoy them. I wish more people would give them a shot. Sure, I'll always be a diehard Captain America fan. Deadpool will tickle my fancy with his wild antics. But, why should we contain ourselves with only the big names? Good books, comic or otherwise, are like peach pie, there is always room for more. But, sometimes you have to go away from the big name brands to find the most satisfying ones.
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