I Love Trouble by Kel Symons, Mark Robinson (Image, 2014) This is one of those graphic novels that feels like a missed opportunity. The idea was interesting but never seemed to find fuller expression as the story unfolded. The lead, Felicia Castro, is hard to empathize with, and the thin plot involving gangsters and stolen art and assassinations is fairly average, as story vehicles go.
Beyond that there isn't much story. A former stripper/con woman who has an angry New Orleans mobster on her tail and a shady business as a new employer should come across as a more interesting character. Yet the plot feels like something taken from Heroes. Felicia spends most of her time spouting sass that's supposed to pass for spunky empowerment, or dressed in barely existent underwear or form-fitting ninja outfits. Not even a subplot about her increasingly worsening mental state can put any sparks in the story. The story seems very confused about what it wants to be, an X-Men style tale or an episode of SVU. Likable as Felicia may be, she does not do much do redeem her selfish choices. The energetic, graffiti-like "dirty" art wonderfully conveys the angry energy of the characters. The witty dialogue is some of the best stuff since the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Other than those brilliant elements, though, the story doesn't take enough chances or cover enough new territory to be more than mildly interesting. ![]() |
![]() Rambles.NET review by Mary Harvey 15 August 2015 Agree? Disagree? Send us your opinions! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |