Review: Nancy Drew #2

If for some reason you have never been a fan of ”“ or otherwise introduced to the world of ”“ Nancy Drew, now is as good a time as any in this classic character“s 88-year history. Dynamite Entertainment has assembled an astonishing team of creators, including: Kelly Thompson (writer), Jenn St-Onge (artist), Triona Farrell (colorist), and Ariana Maher (letterer).

Nancy Drew #2 picks up the story with a flashback to one of the most difficult moments in the titular hero“s young life. Kelly Thompson“s plot is deliberate in the best way. The setting of the opening is an integral site of the well-layered mystery that only begins to unfold in this issue. Nancy, is the lead-detective/adventurer of a motley crew of her friends, including the Hardy Boys who happily (and thankfully) play background and back-up characters here. The story works seamlessly across two timelines that are ostensibly about discovery. But Thompson pushes her readers to consider the distinction between material discovery and the kind of discovery that is more existential and in some cases much more important.

This book is brought to you by a talented team of creators, all of whom happen to be women. The main character is a young woman (a young girl in the flashback timeline); and the story of this issue centers on an intersectional plot twist that asks readers to think deeply about how race shapes the way that our society sees murder and mortality. But most of all, it is a really really good comic. St-Onge“s art sports an iconographic aesthetic perfect for both comics and animation. Farrell“s colors provide the visual cues that allow this issue to shift between its light-hearted center and its more moody and dark moments. And Maher“s letters make the narrative fluid by crafting distinct fonts for the narrator, Nancy Drew“s inner monologue, and the characters“ dialogue.

Kelly Thompson (and Co.“s) version of Nancy Drew will likely be the definitive version of this character for a generation or more. The story is smart and so is the art. Nancy Drew #2 has a big heart and a good sense of humor ”“ some qualities that are not easy to achieve in a moment where cynicism reigns supreme. Getting on board here at issue #2 is no disadvantage to readers, but with characters as classic as Nancy Drew, in the hands of these capable creators, it might not hurt to follow the series for every clue you can get. 4/5.

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

(W) Kelly Thompson (A) Jenn St. Onge, Triona Farrell (CA) Tula Lotay