Review: Nancy Drew #1
Nancy Drew was, at least for me, the biggest draw when it came to the Hardy Boys books and TV show. Someone at Dynamite must have agreed with me as this is her second series from the licensing comic book giants.  The first book, The Big Lie was engaging in a mature way. This on the other hand takes a different route.
Nancy is in the big wide world of college life, still solving crimes and creating connections. When a letter from her past bring her back to Bayport and her history, which covers the reasons for leaving the town as well as running into the crew that she left behind. Still it’s not long before she is all caught up and she is in full on mystery solving mode.
Kelly Thompson’s style as writer fits into the current trend of how to demonstrate sassy confident young women. Thompson also throws into the mix a circle of friends, that a couple of years ago would have been fresh and exciting. Nowadays the group is as formulaic as the cast of a CW show. I don’t mind that so much; this type of book is all about the relationships between the characters, regardless of how common place their individuality is nowadays. Thompson’s writing is engaging, showing the fun side of Nancy rather the the slightly know-it-all player she was in the previous book. Reading the book, I can’t help but think, is this the comic that something like Batgirl is trying to be? Thompson’s cast works well enough, the steps taken are familiar, which at least allows the reader to recognise the overall nature of story.
Jenn St. Onge provides the art for the book and matches the writing well, with a cartoony look that reminds me a lot of Kim Possible. Character designs is both simplified with differences over elaborated to show individuality. St. Onge’s panel structure works well throughout, in both showing the action and demonstrating the life that Nancy leads. Whilst not my personal favourite style, I found the art to be enjoyable for the type of book that Dynamite are wanting to publish, which is probably how the best comics are made, with the synergy between the creators involved. The colors are as breezy as the art, with Triona Farrell matching the overall tone of the book.
It’s interesting that in this age of “diversity” that as books and publishers try to emphasise these elements, they in fact create a de-facto norm. That said, this book is a great advert for how existing characters can be shown in different lights; a feat that Dynamite, whether you like the re-iterations or hate them, excels at.
Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Kelly Thompson
Art by; Jenn St. Onge
Colors by Triona Farrell
Published by; Dynamite Entertainment
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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