“Cole Burns Slow Hand”
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artists: Eduardo Risso (p), Patricia Mulvihill (c)
Publisher: DC Vertigo
Plot:
Two guys; one in a monkey suit and the other in a pig suit attempt to rob a small town tavern. We follow their exploits as they threaten the barkeep in opening the safe that of course, being the low level employee that he is has no access to it. The robbers get mad and start discussing more trivial matters like what would the most effective way to get the money be without killing anyone. Meanwhile Cole, one of the mysterious agents visits his old girlfriend who is both outraged and relieved he’s back after not knowing what happening to him when he mysteriously disappeared some time ago. Include a surprise, yet odd ending and you got your twenty-two pages for the month.
Comments:
As many of you know who read my regular reviews I truly enjoy this series. I’ve been reading it since the thirty–first issue with the opening to the ‘Counter fifth Detective’ storyline. That story arc was pure genius. Innovative pacing, enticing dialogue and a story to match that of the best crime in crime fiction. It really made me proud to say that I was indeed reading (and appreciating) the best book on the market at the time.
The story arc ended after those six issues and it was announced that the book would continue with another six stand-alone issues focused on different characters that have come about in the series. The first one focused on Dizzy (issue #37). It was cleverly written and took full advantage of the twenty-two page limit. It really showed me (an aspiring writer in comics and what not) how a writer could fully develop a set of characters in a mere one-shot issue. To put it simply, the first issue in this six-issue run had style.
Sadly this, the second issue does not have what it takes to live up to the 100 Bullets name. The story was simple minded and silly and the problems (if you can call them that) were something straight from cliché. It didn’t have the build up suspense, didn’t have the usual witty dialogue and it didn’t raise any questions. What saved this issue from receiving all but the lowest of scores was the consistent moody artwork by Eduardo Risso, an artist whom I consider to be among the best in comics.
Final Word:
These guys can do better. The script felt rushed and unpolished. It felt almost like Azzarello had this as a second thought in mind, not caring if it lived up to his trademark as both a writer and a creator of 100 Bullets. I have read almost ten issues so far in this series and like with everything a bad apple turns up in the lot. I’m not giving up on this series because of one uninteresting tell. Far from it. I will be eagerly awaiting the next issue for I am unsure if the storyline in this issue will be later intertwined in future issues. Overall not the best of the bunch but I have a feeling that with everything else in this series, it will contribute justly. Enjoy and tell me what you think.
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