Review: Fairlady #1
When coming back from doing your duty, you should be entitled to at least a cozy crib. Jenner Faulds is back from the wars, after pulling a “Yentl” to gain acceptance.  Now, Jenner acts as a Fairman a specially licensed private investigator. Still, why should sexism only exist in the armed forces? As a “Fairlady” Jenner’s only choice is to take the cases of the lowest of the low. But small cases, like packages, can hide big surprises!
In Jenner, the heroine is trying piece a life back together. She is joined in her attempts by her own personal Hobbes in a Jessu, who is an honourable man. The mystery of some money going missing along with a woman drags Jenner and her partner across The Feld on a race against time to get to her before the competition does.
Co-creator and writer Brian Schirmer pools his influence from a mix of the fantasy worlds of Fables and Rat Queens, with some Magnum P.I thrown in for good measure. It’s an odd mix to be sure, though Schirmer blurs the lines well. For some the idea of Jenner, a woman doing a mans job, may carry the expected aura of politics. Again, Schirmer keeps the gender issue part of the story, rather than making it the story. As such, you cannot help but feel immersed in the world, with its mystery’s yet to unfurl. In Jenner, you have a world weary type of character, with her story seemingly quite simple, I am sure there are bigger secrets waiting to be found, When world building, or world existing in this case, dialogue can be tricky; here jargon is kept to a minimum and world views are intimated rather than declared.
Co-creator and artist Claudia Balboni, known for her Star Trek work, provides the art and inks. Oftentimes, I have wondered how “licensed book” artists would cope without their seemingly ever present photo references. Here, the answer is quite simple; Balboni manages very well. Her art seems to suit the mix of sci-fi meets The Hobbit which allows a level of freshness to overtake any assumptions made prior to reading the book. There are inconsistencies with some of the faces, though movement through the panels, in what is quite a conversationally paced book keeps the reader engaged. My only other critique would be that the panel structure seems wasteful in places, though at times is used to show a wider appreciation of living in The Feld. Marissa Louise provides a color scheme that looks a little too digital insomuch there appears to be a lack of nuance. The letters by David Bowman do not impede art or the storytelling. Bowman also gets to demonstrate some detective leanings. Finally, there are a couple of covers, both look good; cover A is a nod to a certain DC book and cover B is provided by the always excellent Tula Lotay.
This is an ongoing series, structured in five issue arcs. Schirmer and Balboni also have set themselves the task of providing a complete story in an issue. Given today’s usual preference to write for trades, I have to say, I like the nod back to yesteryear especially as it gives the impression that every issue will be a valid jumping on point. All in all, this is an intriguing read based in a new world, with Schirmer’s influences clearly seen throughout the book.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 3.5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Co-Created & Written by; Brian Schirmer
Co-Crested & Art by Claudia Balboni
Colors by;Marissa Lousie
Letters by; David Bowman
Variant Cover by; Tula Lotay
Published by; Image Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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