Review: BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #1

Bettie Page “Queen of Pinups, who was an American model who gained notoriety in the 1950s is having quite a bit of a revival. I am not just talking reprints of her pin-up photos, but full-on fantastic fiction with her as the lead. So far it has been mixed. Sometimes a writer leans too far into her past as a sex symbol, and other times like in the story they get it right. Demonstrating a female navigating murky water in a misogynistic world.

Story Thus Far:

Bettie Page was requested the Irish Intelligence agency with an Investigation. The investigation involves a murder-spree in a small town, with zero evidence linking anyone to the case. It does not help their investigation that the residents believe that the mythical Banshee is involved.

Dialogue:

The dialogue in between the character tended to be more explanatory. Perfect, for my ape brain. Author Stephen Moony, does not mess around. He demonstrates the problem. Then he shows who and what characters are going to solve the problem, and before you know it we have a monster mystery on your hands.

Art:

Toned down considering some of the other Bettie Page centric stories that I have seen. None the less I love the classical 50’s style dresses that the artist chose for Bettie Page with a fitted bodice and full skirt. Lyssa, however, has a style more reminiscent of the Beatniks. I can comprehend the intention was to make imply her intelligence and make her the straight man, but throughout the panels she overtly aggressive. I also loved the horrific expressions on some character. It reminds me of some of the pre-code horror panels.

There were some great narrative points that made it easy to forget that Bettie Page is a sex symbol. It feels more like if Daphne and Thelma grew up and decided to leave the Mystery van.

Note to Comic Speculators:

We cannot say much for her comics yet, but I can confirm that some of her magazine appearances are hot. It is hard to tell for some like Wink (1951) because it does not come up for sell that often. Other Collectibles like her 1^st appearance in Playboy Magazine #2 January 1955 can fetch around $600 raw.

SCORE: 3/5

BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #1, Will have a whopping 23 covers: Cover A by Marat Mycheals; Cover A by: Cover B, Joseph Michael Linsner; Cover C, Stephen Mooney; Cvr D Cosplay; CVR E Bettie Page Pin; Premium Li Foc Var; 10 Copy Mooney Pencils; 15 Copy Mychaels Pencils; 20 Copy Linsner Pencil; 25 Copy Mooney B&W Inc; 30 Copy Mychaels B&W; 40 Copy Cosplay B&W; 30 Copy Mychaels B&W; 50 Copy Linsner B&W; 7 Copy Cosplay Virgin; 11 Copy Vintage Pin-Up; 15 Copy Li B&W Virgin; 21 Copy Li Virgin Foc; Linsner Sgn Atlas Ed; 40 Copy Cosplay B&W In; Black Bag Photo Cvr. In my opinion the Leirix Li Virgin cover is in the running for cover of the Week.

Writer: Stephen Mooney
Artist: Jethro Morales
Color: Dinei Ribero
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Publisher: Dynamite Comics