CALAVERA PI #1 (of 4). Art & Script by Marco Finnegan. Oni Press.
I was recently walking around the Mission District in San Francisco on the Friday night of Dia De Los Muertos. As a Mexican American, it immediately strikes a deep chord with me. It has been a while since I took part in any of the rituals: a mix of solemn tribute to the dead and festive gathering. It did my heart good to see people wearing makeup to look like skeletons. And so, with that in mind, I’m all in with this comic book, an audacious Mexican crime noir that pushes limits and doesn’t hold back.
The story is set in 1920s Hollywood, a time and place all too rife with possibilities for crime fiction. This first issue opens with a wealthy white man in front of his mansion barking orders for that night’s debauched party which includes sex trafficking. The young Mexican women are being ushered in when the house maid decides she’s seen enough and attacks her boss. This action triggers her immediately being shot dead which unleashes a whole chain of events: a Chicano private detective, caught in the crossfire, is transformed at some point after his own death. Juan Calavera becomes Calavera P.I., a hero rising from the grave.
As general storytelling trends keep evolving in the book market and comics industry, the opportunity is there to get it right more often than not with just the right balance of authentic voices. What I’m saying is that people know when they’re into a story that rings true. Consider, for instance, Stephen King, just to pick a writer you most likely have read at some point. He is, on average, someone you know what to expect from. I think Marco Finnegan (Morning Star, Night People), the creator-artist-writer of this comic book, is pulling together an honest and exciting story which is building towards another creator you can rely upon for good stuff.
Finnegan knows when to slip in some Spanish and not worry if some readers will not know the meaning. Basically, it’s pretty self-evident. There’s conflict. People end up swearing at each other. Enough said! The same goes for his use of Mexican culture. It’s all smooth and relatable. Readers will enter Juan Calavera’s world and feel at home.
Marco Finnegan is at the right place and time. His artwork has won him a good share of fans and praise: a stripped-down and punchy style. I appreciate the concise and precise impact it makes, like Pop Art. We need that right now. By all counts, these are tough times we’re entering into. What better way to meet the moment than a brash comic book story about not succumbing to despair but, instead, fighting back?
I have to hand it to Marco Finnegan since he’s pulling double duty as the artist and writer. The whole crunchy vibe here brings to mind all the amazing crime comics by the creative team of writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips. Check out their work on Criminal. If I narrow it down to one auteur cartoonist, how about David Lapham? Try out Stray Bullets or Murder Me Dead. I believe Finnegan follows in this tradition and I have high hopes for him. Going back to trends, we need his voice now more than ever. I know that Finnegan has hit the nail on the head. Now, let’s get more and more readers on board. How will we make that happen? Well, comics reviews lead the way as does word of mouth. This is just the first issue and there will be a trade paperback before you know it. So, check it out and, if you dig it, let people know.
Rating: 10 out of 10.
