Cutter #1

By Robert Napton, Seamus Kevin Fahey and Christian DiBari

Cutter is a title that got almost no promotion whatsoever, but it is a good idea for a book. Top Cow gathers some worthy talent to reel in readers with this introductory issue, and it pays off as this was a surprisingly good read.

There is a lot to like story wise here as Robert Napton and Seamus Kevin Fahey craft a smart introductory issue that will keep readers guessing. Napton and Fahey succeed in not giving away too much in the first issue, which is great because readers will want to try to piece together the clues as the story progresses. The duo build up the main character, Jeremy Samuels, just enough. He’s not overdone in this issue, which is great, but we also know that he is hiding something. Napton and Fahey have written a good first issue; let’s hope they will be able to keep the mystery going next month too.

The art this issue is handled by Christian DiBari, and the book is black and white so there is no colorist. The art is a bit uneven for this title. Some pages look great, like a full page spread of the killer holding bloody hedge clippers. Other pages come off as nothing more than sketches that lack a good enough ink job. DiBari’s work is uneven, but not terrible by any means. There are definitely some good gray tones and nice shading, but ultimately some bad panels can take a reader out of the story.

This was a good little find on the rack this month. With a solid start to a promising story Napton and Fahey have our attention. There were a few hiccups in the art department, but it shouldn’t ruin the story for you. Next issue will have to be just as good as this one to keep up interest.