Written by Tom King
Art by Greg Smallwood
Published by DC Comics
Writer Tom King and artist Greg Smallwood create a really cool new noir comic with this series collected in two volumes. They take the character of Christopher Chance and they put a nice new spin on him. This is probably the best story ever told with Chance, both in television and comics. It’s thrilling from the very first page until the last.
The book starts like an old film noir. It starts with a body. We are then introduced to Christopher Chance. Chance is a master of disguise who is a “human target” of sorts for high profile targets. If Lex Luthor needs someone to be a shield for him for instance, he will call Chance. This leads to some pretty crazy circumstances.
Chance finds himself in some really hot water. He finds out that he has been murdered and that he has to find the murderer before he’s gone completely from this world. So, each issue, we get to see another day for Chance, as he gets one step closer to the grave. In the meantime, he also finds affection with the super-heroine named Ice.
While he is investigating his murder, the two fall in love.
Tom King has a romantic steak through a lot of his work and it’s never been more prevalent than it is here. The scenes between the pair are wonderful and honest and bring a certain depth to the book.
This comic also has some really funny moments as the issues progress along. We get to see Chance deal with various members of the Justice League International. The funniest encounters are with Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, and most especially Guy Gardner (Ice’s ex-boyfriend).
The only problem? Everyone is a suspect as to who killed Christopher Chance.
Tom King writes a hell of book once again. It’s funnier than a lot of his recent work. That doesn’t take away anything from the actual stakes of the book though, which are always high. The artwork by Greg Smallwood is the best that he’s ever done.
Everything works visually and makes the book unlike anything else out there.
This is a well done, fun, emotional ride from start to finish.
RATING: A
