REVIEW: HEAT SEEKER GUN HONEY SERIES #1 (OF 4)

One of the biggest surprise hits over the last couple of years has been the Hard Case Crime imprint from Titan Comics, which has forgone their usual policy of tie-in books no a matter how popular the low hanging fruit of Doctor Who is. Titan have successfully introduced a mature, sexy pulp noir heroine, over two mini series and are once again to looking at Charles Ardai to, this time, extend the Gun Honey universe.

Joanna Tan and her ex FBI “himbo” Brock are on the run following their actions in the Blood for Blood mini-series. With governments after them, they have only one chance; Joanne Tan has an “old friend” in Dahlia Racers, an expert in making people disappear! Think Zatanna. without her fishnets and magic and you might be close. Though to be honest, the opening scenes of the first Mission Impossible movie might be more on the mark. However, you know what they say of the plans of mice, men and hot babes?

One of the things that I have enjoyed about Charles Ardai’s writing is that he is taking time to deal with the ramifications of his characters actions. Check Joanne for example, hers is not a life of easy living. Being on the lam is difficult! Now with the introduction of Dahlia the chaos factor is ramped up! Ardai spends time setting the table for his new character; the introduction also allows us to catch up Joanna and Brock. For a character that is the queen on mis-direction, I am hoping that Ardai forgoes his usual direct storytelling model, which is hinted at via a startling cliffhanger. For every “hero” there must be an equal, if not superior “villain”. Ardai again delivers in this regard. This game of cat and mouse if sure to be a roller coaster of a ride.

The art is provided by Ace Continuado who provides a more realistic style over the more intimated work of Gun Honey mainstay Ang Kor Kheng. Don’t get me wrong, there is still plenty of curves and action on show; the set up and panel design seems more controlled in some way, with less big panels, meaning that we get to see the plan in motion which is different vibe to the previous series’ reactive tendencies. The figure work is great as are the backgrounds. Continuado is helped by the strong inks of Jose Zapata who makes sure that the characters pop in their various environments. Keeping the Gun Honey tone intact are colorist and letterer holdovers Asifur Rahman and David Leach respectively. Thanks to their work, there is no doubting the violent nori world that Ardai’s character inhabit. One of the things that will make the book stand out on the rack are the beautiful covers; I don’t have a favourite, it is buyers choice I am afraid.

After two very successful mini-series, I was wondering where Ardai, and Joanna to some extent, would go next. The lure of resting laurels is strong, yet Ardai has refused to go down the “more of the same” route (please take note Marvel and DC), and instead fleshed out the Gun Honey world, with shades of grey that match the doing bad things for good reason motif’s that have been in play previously.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written by; Charles Ardai
Art by; Ace Continuado
Inks by; Jose Zapata
Colors by; Asifur Rahman
Letters by; David Leach
Covers; by; Various
Published by; Titan Comics / Hard Case Crime

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

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