Review: Marjorie Finnegan Temporal Criminal #1 (of 8)

Artist Writers & Artists Inc. (AWA) have come a very long way in a very short time; which is kind of ironic given that time, or the abuse of it, is the main focus of this book. Such is AWA’s reputation at the moment, they have managed to draft in one of the biggest names in comic books for this new eight issue mini-series, Marjorie Finnegan Temporal Criminal.

As the title suggests, Marjorie is a temporal criminal; think Doctor Who with a habit for holding onto relics found on her travels and you get the picture, kind of. Situated in the time stream, Marjorie and her head in the chair, Timbo, complete heist upon heist. But for every criminal, there is law person hot on their trail. What can Majorie do if she actually runs out of time?

Garth Ennis is a comic veteran of many comic companies and books. Currently, The Boys will probably be the first book on everyones lips, but there are a range of books that are at least equally as dysfunctional. Of course fans will remember his work on Hellblazer and Preacher. This is a long way from those classics in tone and perhaps verve. More akin to Billy Butcher crossed with Harley Quinn, Marjorie is a foul mouthed blonde out for herself and sometimes Timbo, but only sometimes or hardly ever to be fair, coupled with no care of the ramifications her jaunts through time, due to there isn’t any practically. Ennis spends some time establishing some facts and some modus operandi before things get a tad crazy and violent. If chaos is your vibe, then this first issue is right up your alley.

The art, and I assume the colors, thanks to a lack of credit page, are both provided by Goran Sudzuka who himself has a pretty impressive resume. Here, Sudzuka uses clean lines that accentuate simple movements through the panels, be it dealing with an Egyptian death horde or dancing in a towel; both aspects and part of Marjorie’s character are well utilised. The art is played, for large parts, for laughs or comedic value which suits Ennis’ writing. There are surreal elements that catch the eye, which keeps the reader on their visual toes. Letters are supplied by Miroslav Mrva, who uses quite a svelte font which counteracts the verbiage and the not-hidden-with symbols swearing that appears in practically every panel.

I have liked a lot of Ennis more serious work. Not being a massive fan of The Boys (sacrilege I know), and equally mot a massive Harley fan, I have to say that I found this book just too loud and lacking nuance. If you want a funny time jaunt book, that has some genuinely heartfelt moments, I would go for Paradox Girl by Cayti Bourquin and Yishan Li from Top Cow. This won’t assuage the millions of Ennis fans who will rush to buy this book.

Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Written by; Garth Ennis
Art by; Goran Sudzuka
Letters by; Miroslav Mrva
Published by; Artisan Writers & Artisans Inc. (AWA)

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