Review: Pirouette TP Vol 1
All that glitters is not gold and all that smiles is not happy. These truisms are most certainly self-evident in the world of comics, where killer clowns torment a man dress edas a bat, or a cheeky imp runs a Man of Steel ragged. Also true is that many people have a fear of clowns, borne from many a movie. Finally, ensuring a fair mixing of metaphors, make-up hides a multitude of sins.
With those bases covered, Pirouette is a dark tale of dreams, torn asunder by the darkness of demons living in plain sight, nevermore so then when the lights go out or when it’s time to pull the top down. Pirouette lives a life of dreams and fear; dreams of flying high on the trapeze or finding her real parents alternating with the very real fears of the ringmaster and a bevy of slaughter house clowns. Which will win out?
M.L. Miller has created a horror story that is recognisable in many various parts. The protagonist in the book is likeable enough, with her nightmares feeling palpable in the midst of the true horrors she faces on a daily basis. Miller weaves a cast of characters that impacts Pirouette with every interaction. It is part, heartbreaking and scary for a kid who has already suffered so much. Miller builds the tension well throughout the book, with a pace that offers little crescendos to balance out the darkest of demons that prey on Pirouette.
The art is provided by Carlos Granda whose work you may have seen a little while ago on the excellent Calexit book. Whilst there are some very Gary Frank tendencies, there is plenty of indie sensibilities on show. The clean lines have the effect of accentuating the scary parts of Pirouette’s life, of which there are many. Where Granda excels is in the facial elements of the characters whether they be hopeful, happy (doubtful) or terrorising. Overall, the scope of the art is staggering.  Granda is helped out immensely by the colors of El Cómic En LÃnea Foundation who produce a quality of work that you would expect to see in something like The Doomsday Clock or Three Jokers; yes they are that good. Finally, letters are provided by Jim Campbell who works well with the amount of verbiage that he has to deal with through some very chaotic, almost disturbing action scenes.
This book may have slipped by your attention the first time around. Therefore this trade is a great way to explore the high quality comics that Black Mask consistently produce, which is a credit to Matt Pizzolo and his production team, as well as the list of fantastic creators that he calls upon to tell really engaging, thoughtfull stories.
Writing -Â 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars
Overall – 5 Stars
Written by; M.L. Miller
Art by; Carlos Granda
Colors by; El Cómic En LÃnea Foundation
Letters by; Jim Campbell
Published by; Black Mask Comics
Author Profile
- 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
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