Review: Jill and the Killers #4

Sometimes, in this crazy world of myriad storytelling and expectations, we as readers want our socks blown off. Things is, that can’t happen every time and nor should it. In fact, it could be argued that in the haste of certain publishers to hit those big “event” books that promise so much and often deliver so little, good solid storytelling is lost. So maybe, taking things a tad more traditional is the way to go.

Jill has been found out. Dealing with her past trauma, hanging out with new friends and frenemies as such, she is now feeling the wrath of her father. Throw in a killer and the danger that her friend, O’Brien find himself and you have a final issue of chock full of physical and. emotional dangers!

Olivia Cuartero-Briggs delivers a book that is a mix of Sweet Valley High, Riverdale with a touch of Nancy Drew. With all those influences you could be forgiven for thinking that “too many young characters spoil the plot”. However, under the careful plotting and pacing of Cuartero-Briggs we have lived Jill’s re-introduction into her old/new/old life and by doing so we have gotten to know the various characters. Therefore, the dangers that the teens find themselves in feels kind of real. Consider if you will, this is an indie book with no multimedia ownership, so anything can happen, anyone could die, anyone could survive! With all that said, proceedings do feel a tad clichéd. That doesn’t necessarily mean its bad; it does mean that you may not be as surprised as you could have been. Still that does leave tricks and surprises in the locker for future surprises.

The art is supplied by Roberta Ingranata, who I first saw on Images revised Witchblade series, which was hard alien armour to fill. From there Ingranata has worked on a range of book including Star Wars and Doctor Who. Here her work is a lot simpler than, if you are new to the book, you may expect. Given the toe of this series, Ingranata’s art works perfectly, its quaint, quirky and small town. Warnia K. Sahadewa’s colors mirror the tone of the writing across book’s various environs, helping to breathe life into suburbia. Finally, given all the teen drama and angst on show, Haley Rose-Lyon manages to deal with the verbiage in an economic fashion.

A great first run series, which Cuartero-Briggs manages to sprinkle the intimation of future stories down the line. I hope that Oni Press continues to have faith in this book, as I would love to see m ore of Jill’s adventures both in her future an d possibly more importantly, into her past!

Writing- 3.5 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 3.5 Stars

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Written by; Olivia Cuartero-Briggs
Art by; Roberto Ingranata
Colors by; Warnia K. Sahadewa
Letters by; Haley Rose-Lyon
Published by; Oni Press Inc.

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