Advance Review: The Girl in the Bay #1 (of 4)

One thing that kids from any era have in common is the desire to grow up, too soon.Â In this new book from Dark Horse Comics imprint Berger Books, we get to see a girl in the shape of Kathy Sartori, a child from the 60’s who unfortunately for her, doesn’t get to see the decade out.

As a bit of a teen tearaway, Kathy is into all the sorts of things that your mother says you shouldn’t do.Â With her two bestie’s in tow, she hits the only place they can get high, stoned or drunk.Â A chance encounter with a fellow music fan leaves her with more than a pain in her heart, leading toÂ a dip in the water and a resurrection 50 years later!Â Think Buck Rogers without the space setting and for less time and you are kind of there.Â As you can expect, things are more than a little strange for Kathy as she tries to piece her life back together, with the challenges ofÂ both an alternative self and her killer to contend with.

This book is written by one of my all-time favourites in the shape of J.M. DeMatteis who has worked on a plethora of books, across the numerous aisles of the comic book industry.Â During that time, he has covered fun books, Spider books, Bat books, Justice League and everyone in between.Â Some of these have been humorous books where others have been more mature.Â DeMatteis has always delivered the goods and this book is no different.Â Halfway through the book, I had the feeling of seeing all this before in a range of other series’, yet DeMatteis managed to surprise me, taking the expected and turning it sideways.Â The idea of seeing a life not lived is an intriguing flip of the whole getting to live over trope.Â Â The fact that is happens to a believable character in Kathy only makes the impact of her story stronger. The monologue carries both Kathy’s inner thoughts and also drops some possible hints to some of the more esoteric concepts.

The art is supplied by Coren Howell whose work I haven’t really seen before, though she has worked on Bat-Mite, I will not hold this against her.Â Howell’s art here works well as she strives to show us a lived in world that helps create a level of resonance.Â This is a Berger Book, so it is a slice of life with a possible dark touch.Â Therefore the art needs to carry this vibe.Â Howell’s work has a level of shadows that seem to permeate into Kathy’s life.Â The emotional aspects of the art are well produced, with the shock of her murder and subsequent attempt at getting back into life both painfully obvious and on show.Â Colors are provided by James Devlin who matches the shadows with a less bright overall scheme.Â Finally, Clem Robins provides the letters for a wordy book, without allowing the ever present monologue to impact the flow of the art.

Berger Books have been quietly going about their business, utilising the experience of editor Karen Berger for a little while now.Â With that idea in mind, it is safe to say that this is yet another hit for the imprint.

Interested in the book?Â The Girl in The Bay is scheduled to hit stores on Feb 6th.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Written by; J.M DeMatteis
Art by; Carin Howell
Colors by; James Devlin
Letters by; Clem Robins
Published by; Berger Books / Dark Horse Comics

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