Voodoo, Vol.1 - “What Lies Beneath” (DC)

The first collection of the controversial New 52 title

Writer: Ron Marz & Joshua Williamson | Artist: Sami Basri & Hendry Prasetya | Colours: Jessica Kholinne

Priscilla Kitaen is Voodoo, a mysterious beauty whose origins and motivations are unknown, seemingly even to her. Regardless of whether she is a hero or villain (or both), Voodoo is on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of her pursuers, using all of her considerable skills to complete a mission that will put the entire Earth in danger. Will even her shape-shifting powers be enough to keep her pursuers, including Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, at bay? Learn the truth about Priscilla Kitaen as she leaves a trail of violence across America.

Collects: Issues #1-6

This series created quite a shit-storm when it was first published. This was largely due to the fact that the first time we meet Priscilla, she’s working as a stripper. This rather robbed her of much potential appeal as a strong female lead in an otherwise male-dominated New 52 line-up (leaving only Batgirl and Batwoman in the original roll-out’s roster of strong female leads).

Naturally, the fracas surrounding this title piqued my interest. Given the sheer number of New 52 titles I was interested in, however, my interest was only piqued enough to put Voodoo on the “wait for the collection” list. What I found was a mixed comic – one that deserved a lot more good attention than it received and one that was harmed by the creative line-up change.

“Marksmen” #1-5 (Image)

Writer: David Baxter & Dave Elliott | Artist: Javier Aranda, Garry Leach & Jessica Kholine

Sixty years ago the oil ran out and debts were called in. Civil war followed that splintered America into warring fiefdoms. New San Diego is a technocratic utopia that offers the last bastion of peace and prosperity, provided you live within its walls. Drake McCoy is its best protector. McCoy, an expert marksman, defends the city from the numerous threats in the wasteland outside the walls. But when the oil rich Lone Star state sends a powerful army to steal New San Diego's energy technology, even Drake’s leadership and skill may not be enough to fend off the siege.

Marksmen is a post-economic-apocalypse mini-series. It takes the current dire economic state of America and extrapolates a worst-case scenario. Blending a number of post-apocalyptic tropes (feral gangs living in the wilds and cannibals, for example) with some original elements, this is a pretty good series. It has a few more flaws than I would ordinarily like, but it should still appeal to fans of the genre who want a short series to read.