Effigy #3

By Tim Seeley, Marley Zarcone, Jesse Hamm, & Ryan Hill

If there’s one thing this creative doesn’t shy away from in Effigy it’s the macabre and that makes this title such a jarring, fascinating read. Tim Seeley and Marley Zarcone open this issue in a forensics lab, immediately setting the tone for the book. This portion of the book is recapping the story to date. Then the case continues…at a Space Cops fan convention.

Sometimes recaps can bog the flow of comic in a major way, but Seeley and Zarcone find ways to keep it taught. Setting it in a morbid location and having Ryan Hill color it with a moody, ominous palette makes the execution work beautifully. The juxtaposition of the lab with the fan convention is also something to note. The colors are much brighter and there’s more people, but the unease established at the start is still present. The deft implementation of thematic tone elevates this title.

Also, the full-page asides by Chondra are such a treat. These pages are a great case study on sequential art. It allows Marley to show off her talent for facial expressions and display the strong teamwork of this art team. Jesse Hamm, has a soft hand and doesn’t over-accentuate the pencils – underlining what is key. Then, Hill works his magic to deliver a unique visual style to Effigy.

This series continues to be a great read and title in Vertigo. It’s only three issues in and has a price point of $2.99. I highly recommend this for fans or noir, drama, or just a good post-modern comic.