Comics Review: SCALPED # 50
For its fiftieth issue, Jason Aaron gives us a delicately paced done-in-one story that spans generations, yet when compared to other stand-alone issues of Scalped this lacks the gut wrenching emotional punch that we’re used to.
Written by Jason Aaron, Pencils by R. M. GuéraPublished by Vertigo. In comics stores now!
rating: 4
Scalped is, without a doubt, one of the best books in the Vertigo line, so it comes as a surprise that this landmark issue is denied the privilege of having the larger page count usually associated with such anniversary specials. Jason Aaron seems nonplussed by this fact though, intent on giving this chapter that celebratory feel by using a neat narrative device that allows him to incorporate the artwork of several big guest names. Seeing the likes of Preacher artist Steve Dillon take on the cast of the Prairie Rose Reservation is worth the cover price alone (not that regular artist R.M. Guéra isn't brilliant enough), though unfortunately the way in which this drastically reduces the page count hampers the story. For its fiftieth issue, Aaron gives us a delicately paced done-in-one story that spans generations, yet when compared to other stand-alone issues of Scalped this lacks the gut wrenching emotional punch that were used to. You get the feeling that if Aaron had been allowed to do what he wanted with this issue, ramping up the page count to allow time to make use of the guest artists without infringing on the main plot, then it could have been something truly special. Unfortunately, the result is one of the weakest in its usually excellent run, though a weak issue of Scalped is still better than almost everything else out there. If youre not reading this series yet then I demand you go out and buy the first trade paperback (which collects the first six issues). No book probes into the human psyche as much as Scalped does, and for that reason alone everyone should be reading it. This is character-driven drama on a par with the likes of The Sopranos or Breaking Bad, and you should read it now, while its still relatively unknown, before the inevitable TV adaptation spoils every little twist and turn (it's perfect fodder for a HBO series). Its a difficult book at times, featuring challenging themes, hard to like characters and much brutality, yet those willing to stick with it will not regret it. Lets just hope that, as this series continues, Aaron gets to do what he wants and can end the book on his own terms. As this issue (and, interestingly enough, a lot of his Marvel work) proves, Aaron doesnt work well on a leash.