Inferno Girl Red #1 COMIC REVIEW: Stunning art with a slightly unlikable protagonist
Artist/Co-creator: Erica D’urso, Writer/Co-creator: Mat Groom, Colourist: Igor Monti, Letterer: Becca Carey.
Cassia Costa, a teen moving to Apex City with her mum to start her university journey. For any teenager, starting uni can be a stressful time. Add on to that a struggling family and a superhero legacy, coupled with one of the most stressful events of her life, where an unknown entity transports Apex City from her universe into another. Now she has to balance lectures with making friends, all whilst trying to save the universe.
This was an interesting book, I picked it up on a whim that it would be connected somehow to Radiant Black, which was a book that I wanted to read but never got around to it. I thought this because something about the lettering and that it had colour in the title led me to believe that. When I looked into it, it’s created by a collective called Black Market Narrative, who are actually responsible for that book among others, like Ordinary Gods. This felt like a good sign as I was curious about a few of their books, however things didn’t live up to what I expected from it.
First thing I noticed was that this book is big. At 49 pages I give it credit for giving people their money's worth. The second was that Erica D’urso’s name was first on the page. This I’ve never seen before as it mostly been the writer with top billing. Although I will say that this is warranted.
The writing is nothing extravagant and in parts just doesn’t land. For a book to only have 3 in the series, they need to get things going quickly and not have too many plot holes or questions. Despite me completely empathising with Cassia when she explains her love of things tangible (which is a sentiment I also share), she comes across rather unlikable. She talks back to her lecturers or is rather rude to the librarian who offered help even after her shift ended. It’s traits like these that can put me off a character and I can find it difficult to identify with them again. When it comes to plot holes, we have a city full of people who have been given a wrist communicator (via Inferno Girl Red. As far as I believe). Yet the only one who turns into the hero is Cassia. I hope this is clarified in the next issue, but with only 3 in the series, I feel like something that big should be addressed quickly.
When it comes to the art, there’s a reason why Erica D’urso’s name is first on the page. The art and colour by Igor Monti was incredible. I love how bright and colourful it is. With a cover page full of reds, then a first page blue and green, then second being purple. These deep vibrant colours just stand out and make the artwork pop even more. The first panel I picked as an example, I couldn’t help but stare at it. It reminded me of Miami in the '80s (not that I was there), with its colourful buildings and stunning setting sun. The second just shows how the panels are played with throughout the book to keep it fresh and exciting. The only time we get a “standard” panel layout is when Cassia is with her mum. Other than that they are more dynamic.
Overall, it’s an interesting book with some stunning visuals. I have questions about the plot holes but I’m hoping these will get sorted in the next issue.
It’s a solid 3 POPs out of 5 and I’m curious how this limited series pans out.
Inferno Girl Red issue 1 was released by Image Comics on 25th January from your Local Comic Shop as well as comixology
Andrew Carr was blessed to grow up watching the animated series of Batman, X-Men, and his favorite, Spider-Man.This started his dive into the comics world, which resulted in meeting his amazing cosplaying wife Imogen. They live in England with their Sinister Six dogs.