Written by Paul Dini
Art by Kenneth Rocafort; Imaginary Friends Studio; ‘Blond;’ & Troy Peteri
Cover Art ‘B’ by Greg Horn
SUMMARY:
Published by Top Cow Productions-Image Comics for June 2007, this untitled 40-page comic is the title character’s official debut. Per the mysterious heroine’s narrative, science invented super-heroes, but world chaos caused by super-criminals ultimately discredit them in the public’s eye. Now, well-dressed super-crooks discreetly exist in this world where they seamlessly blend as underworld mercenaries and assassins. Pursuing Los Angeles bandit Vinnie “The Hummingbird” Loomis, Madame Mirage unleashes an explosive pistol blast. It’s Mirage’s latest ‘downsizing’ of Aggressive Solutions International’s (ASI) hoodlums.
Angela (aka Mirage) and her sister Harper next target ASI’s chief financier, Roger Maitland, who intends to abscond with ten million dollars in cash. The financier further intends to have his oblivious girlfriend killed off before he ditches town. Mirage uses impersonations and stealth technology to send ASI’s boss, Abe Coyle, another ominous warning.
Notes: This issue’s main cover image (which isn’t not provided here) was created by artist Kenneth Rocafort. Also, the first seven pages (in a mix of black-and-white sketches and color panels) can also be seen in the Madame Mirage: First Look preview.
REVIEW:
Despite the occasionally coarse dialogue (including a f-bomb), writer Paul Dini’s violent series opener has the welcome advantage of unpredictability. Mirage’s mysterious origin remains exactly that, including an evidently personal vendetta against ASI. With Dini on his game, the artwork (including the Angelina Jolie-esque cover image) is pretty solid, though the visuals are too fixated on overtly sexist close-ups of Mirage’s cleavage and/or lithe figure. Despite this distraction, this pulpy mix of modern-day noir and an enigmatic femme fatale makes for a satisfying read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is Top Cow’s single-page “World Moos” news-and-notes column, which has a thumbnail cover reveal for Madame Mirage # 2.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
