Writer: Stefan Petrucha
Artists: Sho Murase, Rachel Ito
Publisher: Papercutz
The oddest thing about this volume of Nancy Drew is that writer Stefan Petrucha seems to solve the mystery at about page twenty-eight and leaves the reader scratching his head. The solution at this point seems pat and certainly acceptable to explain the strange goings-on. Of course Nancy Drew doesn't accept the obvious.
Petrucha deepens the mystery with unusual but credible twists. The ramifications of vanity further extend the story's lifespan and in a particularly natural way. The twists plausibly introduce a hardened criminal who intends to kill Nancy and the cousins Bess and George, which is a tradition from the original novels. Nancy was not just tied up and locked in a closet.
Petrucha balances the tension with some humor provided by Bess' allergies, and he also implements the allergies to the cause of the case. Very little in Petrucha's writing serves one purpose. For instance, Nancy's date with Ned introduces a suspect and displays Nancy's heroism. Petrucha never pads out his tale, and as a result, the reader enjoys an exciting and fast-moving mystery.
Sho Murase returns with Rachel Ito, and everything looks better than that from last issue's rougher substitute artist. I loathe manga, but I know good art in any style when I see it. Murase's manga-influenced art is excellent.
Besides keeping up with Petrucha's pace, Murase through her art characterizes Nancy and cast. George for instance was originally more like the prototype for Pat Savage, feisty and formidable cousin to Doc Savage. George was a tomboy extraordinaire. Murase preserves this idea by designing George tall and having her stance tough. With Petrucha, she also shows George to be physically stronger than Nancy and Bess. It is she who carries the package throughout the mystery.
Rachel Ito provides pizzazz to the story by contributing a tres cool gyrocopter and adds overall depth and uniqueness to the settings. Ito, Murase and Petrucha make this sixth volume of Nancy Drew's renaissance thoroughly entertaining and intriguing.
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