Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Michael Gaydos
Published by DC Comics
This series was so much fun that it went from being a limited series to an ongoing one.
Pearl Tanaka is a very interesting character, too. Basing a series on her does make sense. Here we get to see just what Bendis and Gaydos have in store for us with a new storyline. It’s supposed to be a perfect jumping on point.
And it starts off with a hell of a lot of promise for sure. While I enjoyed it though, I totally understood what was going on because I read the previous issues.
But for new readers? I’m not so sure they will get what is going on.
The issue starts off with a bunch of hoodlums staking out Pearl’s tattoo parlor. Who are these creeps and what do they want? Well, it seems like it’s the Endo Twins. And it looks like they are up to no good again. But what is it this time?
Bendis asks some pretty big questions right off the bat. I was instantly hooked.
We then see Pearl waking up next to Rick Araki in a dorm somewhere. She has no idea where she is but just goes with it. From there we see that a woman named Yuko has taken a sudden interest in Pearl and her tattoo parlor. Who is Yuko? What does she want? And is she going to be a major threat to Pearl?
Pearl then meets up with her friend Apple and they go on a road trip all the way up to Portland. They make a few fun stops along the way. Apparently, Pearl has to go meet with Mr. Miike and she brings her friend for some unknown reason. By the issues end, we find out why.
It’s an issue with a bunch of setup. I enjoyed it for the most part but honestly? Very little happens. Bendis gives us a bit of story that feels like it was stretched out to fill space.
The art is something special though. Gaydos makes every panel a work of art. His work here is the selling point of the series. Seriously, he only gets better and better. Hopefully, the story gives him more to do. But even if it doesn’t, his Illustrated work is something to behold.
RATING: B
