”Who
is Artemis?” part one begins with an incursion into Qurac. We all remember
Qurac, no? Well, Jason Todd certainly does. Kinda hard to forget the place
where he was nearly beaten to death by the Joker. So what could possibly
convince him to come back? The answer, kids, is in the title.
Artemis is
on the trail of the Bow of Ra, a mystical weapon of mass destruction, which she
believes may now be in the possession of Qurac’s leader. In an effort to
recover it, Red Hood and the Outlaws invade the country. But their visit is met
with resistance, and each one finds themselves in their own personal variation
of psychological hell.
It’s on the
start of the latest story arc, so judging the book on the first chapter is
impossible. But the references to Jason Todd’s prior career as Robin help
elevate what could just be another adventure for Damian Wayne or Dick Grayson.
Soy’s
artwork is strong, but what really helps is Gandini’s coloring. It’s so easy to
make a dark series darker with such a palette, but she manages to convey the
dimness without sacrificing the brighter colors – lighter blues, reds, and
golds. Nor do her colors add a polished texture too common in modern comics.
Here’s a hint, kids: super-heroes don’t wear glossy spandex. It’s a fight
against evil, not a fashion show in Greenwich Village.
As for where
the story is likely to go, your guess is good as mine. I won’t spoil how the
issue ends, but suffice it to say each of the Outlaws find themselves in
situations from which there is little escape. Stay tuned.