"Deer Editor: Hack" Comic Review

Written by James Ferguson

deer editor hack 00

Written by Ryan K. Lindsay
Illustrated by Sami Kivela
2016, 48 Pages

Review:

We've seen stories of hard-hitting journalists who will stop at nothing to tackle a story.  We've also seen legions of vampires, shielding themselves from the sunlight as they feast on the blood of the innocent.  What if you put them both together?  The vampires are the story that Bucky is researching and he's been put through the ringer while doing so.  Now he's pulling out all the stops to get this story and put down these blooduckers.  Also, he's an anthropomorphic deer.  I probably should have mentioned that earlier.

At first glance, Deer Editor sounds rather silly.  I mean, it's a talking deer wearing a suit.  It sounds like the type of thing you'd see in a Geico ad.  The reality is the complete opposite.  No one ever addresses the fact that he's a deer in a human world.  Bucky is cool under pressure, not to mention a total badass.  He shows up at the home of Rose, a young woman recently united with her father (who happens to be the mayor), ready to expose the truth about what's going on and how much her life is in danger.  He does this by bashing a dude's face in and then using his antlers in a rather creative way.  You will never look at deer the same way again.  

Click images to enlarge

Much of this has to do with artist Sami Kivela's work.  There is no humor in Bucky's look.  He's serious and ready to get down to business.  He doesn't have hooves really.  Instead, it's more of a furry, three-fingered claw, which makes him look pretty creepy on his own.  The aforementioned use of antlers is expertly drawn to capture the action, excitement, and bloodshed.  

Kivela's pencils are tight with an amazing amount of detail.  He has a real talent for facial expressions, conveying so much with a single look.  Most of Deer Editor comes through as a feeling.  At its heart, this is a noir book and it shows with expert use of shadow and tone.  Writer Ryan K. Lindsay is no stranger to this (see also his recent mini-series, Chum).  

Click images to enlarge

Speaking of Lindsay's other work, there are some small nods to his other recent mini-series, Negative Space, peppered in for die-hard fans to find.  These are some nice little touches that don't distract from the main story.  

Although this is the third issue in a series, you don't need knowledge of the prior chapters to enjoy it.  Lindsay drops you right into the action, pulling you into the story immediately.  It's been some time since I've read them and I was able to catch up quickly.  I'm definitely going to go back and re-read them altogether though.  Of course, if you've read the other Deer Editor books, you'll get much more enjoyment from Hack.  It serves as the conclusion to this first series of events, tying up loose ends and opening the door for more possibilities.  The last two panels alone are worth the price of admission.

Deer Editor: Hack is not just the best comic you'll read starring an anthropomorphic journalist deer, it's also an engrossing noir tale perfectly blended with the supernatural.  Lindsay and Kivela have crafted a truly unique comic that you will not find anywhere else.

At the time of this writing, Deer Editor: Hack is currently being funded through a Kickstarter campaign. You can get the entire issue for $1 and I assure you, it is well worth that price.

Grades:

Story: fivestars
Art: fivestars
Overall: 5 Star Rating

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James Ferguson
Lord of the Funny Books
James has a 2nd grade reading level and, as a result, only reads books with pictures. Horror is his 5th favorite genre right after romantic comedy and just before silent films. No one knows why he's here, but he won't leave.
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