Jay Faerber and Koray Kuranel’s Point of Impact, a four part crime drama, begins with the death of a young woman and subsequently follows the investigation through three people connected to her: her husband, an investigative reporter, her lover, an ex-soldier, and her friend, a homicide detective. We see how these characters are affected by her death and the actions it prompts them to take – some being more suspicious than others. Despite jumping from one central character to the next, it’s never confusing, a pitfall which ensnares others often.
Those of you who read my review of Near Death volume 2 will realise Jay Faerber writes ‘good comics’. Point of Impact #1 proves that, if it was ever in doubt, which was why I highlighted it this week in our ‘Wednesday Watchlist’ feature. However, the art alone would have sold me. The combination of the two produces a rare treat; it’s a compelling and credible murder mystery, with a hint of noir – can I have issue 2 now please?
I’ll be campaigning for this as ‘Cover of the Year’. It certainly makes a point and an impact. It also cleverly doubles as the first page. Kuranel’s artwork is staggering – the detail, the panels and the splashes all are rendered beautifully. I’d love to see him tackle Batman as the atmosphere he generates here would be well suited, particularly to a classic Detective Comics tale. I really hope we get to see more of him very soon.
Point of Impact #1 was published by Image Comics this week October 10th, 2012, priced at a bargainous $2.99.
Check out Mark’s 6 page preview posted earlier this week and Stephen’s interview with Faerber posted last month.
Mark Brassington 