PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of NO HEROINE #1 from Source Point Press. Available Wednesday, June 24th, the creative team for this issue features writing from Frank Gogol, art from Criss Madd, colors by Shawna Madd, and lettering from Sean Rinehart.
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
NO HEROINE #1
Writer: Frank Gogol
Artist: Criss Madd
Colorist: Shawna Madd
Letterer: Sean Rinehart
In Shops: June 24, 2020
Drugs. Vampires. Punk rock. Clawing her way to her 90th day sober, Kayla sets out to find her missing friend, Sid – the one person she knows can keep her on the straight-and narrow. The only problem? The gang of heroine-dealing vampires that have him.
From the writer of 2019’s breakout indie hit Dead End Kids comes a story of a young woman’s recovery journey and one hard truth: not everyone is cut out to be a hero.
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
NO HEROINE #1
Writing: Vampires make for some of the best bad guys in all of fiction. Frank takes them beyond the usual vein that one would expect from either Count Dracula or Edward Cullen. And Kayla is not the stereotypical hunter. She is flawed and human, making for a very relatable and realistic character whom Frank presents in a world where vampires are real. The twists and turns throughout this first issue will keep people wanting more, driving their hunger for stories such as these to new heights.
Art: Criss Madd absolutely killed it on the art for this first issue. Every panel and every page was a visual feast for the eyes. It was aesthetically pleasing and does not pull one out of the story itself, rather it blends and flows alongside the script. There is a certain grittiness to it, primarily due to the subject matter of tackling substance abuse, alongside punk rock and these bloodsuckers. All together, this was a fantastic outing from Criss for issue #1.
Colors: Shawna dominated the colors here. Like the story and art, they keep the reader engaged as the story progresses. They pull the eye along the page, from start to finish. This reviewer noted that certain color choices for particular skin tones deviated from the usual norm one associates with these creatures of the night. Which is a good thing, because moving away from the norm means that it adds to the lore and myth that has been growing over the years.
Letters: Sean’s letters were the final stake through the heart of this fang-tastic comic. For the character of Kayla, the lettering for both her dialogue and narration felt real. With so many comics, it is just words on a page. But with the very real and serious topic of substance abuse, this felt different. As if she wasn’t just narrating her story, but making sure that people know that there is a lot of danger in these sorts of life choices. Bravo to Sean on capturing that magnificently.
The entire team for No Heroine #1 have put something beautiful together. A first issue that takes a serious look at what drugs can do to a person’s life. That is a powerful thing to accomplish, especially in today’s society. Add punk rock and vampires, as well as some adventure into the mix, and the end result is a comic that promises excitement as people come along on Kayla Strong’s journey.
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