Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artist: Steve Epting
Publisher: CrossGen
Plot:
In the late 17th century a Spanish noblewoman finds herself beset by pirates and through a series of events ends up becoming their captain. The infamous Lady Sin then sets out on a path of bloody revenge, plying her trade through the pirate infested waters of the Caribbean.
Comments:
What do you get when you cross a bunch of drunken, sodomizing murderers with a hot Spanish chick with some major booty? No it’s not a J-Lo video gone awry, it’s El Cazador the latest swashbuckling foray from Cross Gen Comics. This particular ‘Collected Edition’ features the first three issues of the now popular series in one convenient volume and proves yet again that Cross Gen has the talent and creativity to stand up to the big boys of the industry.
The story itself opens with an almost frenetic pace, as the reader is introduced to the Spanish noblewoman Donessa Cinzia Elena Marie Esperanza Diego-Luis Hidalgo, who in the opening chapter finds her ship beset by ravenous sea dogs in the treacherous waters of the Spanish Main. With her family members either killed or taken prisoner, the Donessa is of course pissed off enough to take control of the ship, and convince the crew to follow her lead, eventually being dubbed Lady Sin by the treasure starved buccaneers.
The first three issues follow Lady Sin’s attempts to gain the crews trust, and set the stage for her quest for revenge against the murderous pirate Blackjack Tom. Even in the early stages of the series the characters are well developed, and the opening story arc offers a tantalizing hint of things to come.
Writer Chuck Dixon also captures the tone and language of the era beautifully, and writes with a subtlety and skill that clearly marks him as a major talent in the industry. The writing in turn, is equally matched by some of the most inspired and breathtaking art seen in comics today. The panels flow with an almost cinematic flair, from the first opening splash page depicting a fish-eyed perspective of a sinking ship, to the larger battle scenes and panoramic landscapes, artist Steve Epting is clearly a master of his trade.
Ultimately, El Cazador: The Collected Edition is worth picking up. With brilliant writing, incredible art, and a story line that is sure to grab you by the throat, it is clear that Cross Gen has a hit on its hands. Forget Orlando Bloom and lame computer generated skeletons, this is what real pirates are all about: rum, guns, and of course plenty of errr….booty.
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