Pretty Deadly #1
It’s been months since its announcement, but with Pretty Deadly being Kelly Sue DeConnick’s foray into her own independent ongoing title, there’s a lot of excitement pushing it to be something great. We finally see if it lives up to the hype.
Writer: Kelly Sue Deconnick | Artists: Emma Rios & Jordie Bellaire
Cover: Rios & Bellaire | Publisher: Image
Pretty Deadly is unquestionably worth the wait and anticipation that’s been built up since its announcement, which at this point feels like lifetimes ago. From the first couple of pages all the way to the end (literally to the very last page), DeConnick and Rios have managed to create a world that is so captivating and painfully beautiful that it’s impossible to tear yourself away from it.
The central character to the story has the least amount of page time for this issue and instead focuses on her origin story and focuses on supporting characters who are no less interesting than the daughter of Death herself, Ginny. In fact it’s their voices that carry the story, Sissy a young girl who wears a vulture for a cloak and her traveling companion—caretaker and Foxy who tell the story of Ginny to a crowd, in a way that’s extremely reminiscent of a Grimm fairy tale. This is where DeConnick’s talents shine. The flow and voice throughout the storytelling is magical and spellbinding, and while we’re familiar with DeConnick’s work with superheroes and the like, this is beyond that type of storytelling and truly artistic at its core. Every single character that has so far revealed themself to the story has an intriguing quality intrinsic to the very nature of the story, from Ginny to Sissy and Foxy, to the unsavory ginger gentleman, and definitely Big Alice whom we seem to know the least about at this point.
It’s not all DeConnick’s brilliant mind that has built Pretty Deadly to be what it seems to be becoming. Rios’ art brings these captivating characters to life in a style that just wraps the entire genre (western/fantasy?—it’s certainly its own genre, truly) of the title together perfectly. Each character is clearly unique from one another adding that extra dimension to their story. A personal favourite being the design of the character of Death himself, being one not totally seen before, while still holding a classic symbolism about him to make him recognizable enough. Turning the pages is a breathtaking experience and a nod to the composition of that pages needs to be mentioned as well, no page is dull or seemingly standard in anyway. Of course there is also Bellaire’s colouring which is vibrant as always but manages to still hold onto a muted, dusty quality, reminiscent of the western genre, but bold colour choices redefine the story into making it even more unique than it already is.
Honestly there’s nothing that’s not positive to say about this debut issue. Maybe it’s just excitement talking but there’s certainly merit to honest talent here as well. The first page is gripping and holds your breath all the way to the end when an exhalation of emotion lets itself out as it finishes with Kelly Sue herself laying her own heart and soul onto the pages as she writes about the creation of Pretty Deadly and how much a project like this means. It’s a bewitching journey for readers to take along with DeConnick and Rios as the story continues to unfold.
Writer: Kelly Sue Deconnick | Artists: Emma Rios & Jordie Bellaire
Cover: Rios & Bellaire | Publisher: Image
Pretty Deadly is unquestionably worth the wait and anticipation that’s been built up since its announcement, which at this point feels like lifetimes ago. From the first couple of pages all the way to the end (literally to the very last page), DeConnick and Rios have managed to create a world that is so captivating and painfully beautiful that it’s impossible to tear yourself away from it.
The central character to the story has the least amount of page time for this issue and instead focuses on her origin story and focuses on supporting characters who are no less interesting than the daughter of Death herself, Ginny. In fact it’s their voices that carry the story, Sissy a young girl who wears a vulture for a cloak and her traveling companion—caretaker and Foxy who tell the story of Ginny to a crowd, in a way that’s extremely reminiscent of a Grimm fairy tale. This is where DeConnick’s talents shine. The flow and voice throughout the storytelling is magical and spellbinding, and while we’re familiar with DeConnick’s work with superheroes and the like, this is beyond that type of storytelling and truly artistic at its core. Every single character that has so far revealed themself to the story has an intriguing quality intrinsic to the very nature of the story, from Ginny to Sissy and Foxy, to the unsavory ginger gentleman, and definitely Big Alice whom we seem to know the least about at this point.
It’s not all DeConnick’s brilliant mind that has built Pretty Deadly to be what it seems to be becoming. Rios’ art brings these captivating characters to life in a style that just wraps the entire genre (western/fantasy?—it’s certainly its own genre, truly) of the title together perfectly. Each character is clearly unique from one another adding that extra dimension to their story. A personal favourite being the design of the character of Death himself, being one not totally seen before, while still holding a classic symbolism about him to make him recognizable enough. Turning the pages is a breathtaking experience and a nod to the composition of that pages needs to be mentioned as well, no page is dull or seemingly standard in anyway. Of course there is also Bellaire’s colouring which is vibrant as always but manages to still hold onto a muted, dusty quality, reminiscent of the western genre, but bold colour choices redefine the story into making it even more unique than it already is.
Honestly there’s nothing that’s not positive to say about this debut issue. Maybe it’s just excitement talking but there’s certainly merit to honest talent here as well. The first page is gripping and holds your breath all the way to the end when an exhalation of emotion lets itself out as it finishes with Kelly Sue herself laying her own heart and soul onto the pages as she writes about the creation of Pretty Deadly and how much a project like this means. It’s a bewitching journey for readers to take along with DeConnick and Rios as the story continues to unfold.
A Look Inside
