Review: Border Town #3

This year DC has sought to make the Vertigo branding mean something again. They even went as far to bring back some of the most notable past titles like Sandman and Lucifer. Each of those titles has found a level of success but the one series most poised to carry the Vertigo mantel for a new generation is Border Town. It is not nearly as polished as something like Transmetropolitan but has a similar aggressive spirit. One with a bold voice that is never concerned with subtlety, which works for a story that revels in the madness it creates.

Now three issues in, more of this world is being revealed. Trapped in a shady gift shop this random group of teenagers that have found an odd bond are hiding for their lives. With literal monsters outside their door the local crazy lady known as Â La Curandera fills them into the hidden history they are now working against. They soon discover a battle against an ancient evil has been raging for ages and it appears they are now poised to take up the fight.

One theme that has permeated this story since the beginning is that of perspective. As the story opens La Curandera speaks of her ancestry with reverence and pride. Â How they lived in a near paradise within a superior culture only to be slaughtered by those freighted by their way of life. However, those words are paired with imagery that questions La Curandera legitimacy as that paradise is shown to have a darker past that included brutal human sacrifice. Making one wonder if she is hiding the truth or simply recycling an altered truth that as passed down to her. Even the Chupacabras that are terrorizing the town alter their appearance to reflect a person“s biggest internal fear.Â

As mentioned, this is not a series that shy about its intentions. Where a title like Border Town there is little question what this story is about. Where Eric M. Esquivel“s script succeeds the most though is his brazen creativity. Â In three issues he has help craft some colorful characters and a world, unlike anything DC is or has been putting on for years. At times though this series does falter with the details. Scenes move awkwardly from one moment to the next with no major driving force. Small details like the title of a book on the completely wrong side-show it can be so eager to get to its point the actual voyage to get there is not fully formed.

On the art side, Ramon Â Villalobos“s a revelation. It is remarkable this is his first major series as he appears to have the skill of an industry veteran. His style has distinct clean lines with an effective edge. His lines add a layer of subsistent texture like the way he draws Â La Curandera. Her years lived way heavily on her worn face. Just a quick glance and you can tell that her life is one of struggle as she has earned each and every wrinkle.

Final Thoughts:

So far in this new look Vertigo Border Town is by far their best chance to rekindle the magic that made them a publisher of promising new creators making groundbreaking titles. Eric M. Esquivel and Ramon Villalobo are clearly hungry to make names for themselves and are doing so by telling a story with a pointed voice and imagination characters that represent the diverse spirit of a new generation. Â

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Writer:Â Eric M. Esquivel
Artist:Â Ramon Villalobo
Colorist:Â Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer:Â Deron

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Daniel Clark

A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.