Review – Scrapper #1 (Image Comics)

Publisher: Image Comics
Story: Cliff Bleszinski & Alex de Campi
Art: Sandy Jarrell
Letters: Alex de Campi
Covers: Juan Ferreyra & Sandy Jarrell
Release Date: 19th July 2023

In a dystopian future where a corporate monopoly manipulates all facets of human life, controlling society and housing in a grim vice of oppression, a hero steps forward. Okay, so maybe this bleak future sounds a bit too similar to today, but the hero who patrols the streets at night is no caped crusader and their bark is definitely worse than their bite.

Scrapper blends the story of a loveable stray dog, raised by Italian restaurant owners, with cyber, street gang, drug cartels, and monstrous action.

First, the really good stuff. Jarrell’s art can be incredibly evocative, with the cityscapes and dark alleys particularly effective. I’m also enamoured by the depictions of the animals themselves. Scapper, Tank, and the rats convey lots of personality, although perhaps not always consistently. This new book has lots of visual flair.

So what about the story? For me it’s a little hit and miss. There’s a lot of ground covered as we’re introduced to Scapper and his friend Tank as they walk the streets of New Verona. After seeing Scrapper save a young girl from the clutches of a drug gang, and displaying some pretty weird powers which would no doubt need further explanation and exposition, we are given some background on Scrapper’s childhood.

The story feels like it meanders a bit before climbing its way to a strange, if not completely unexpected, finale. Bleszinski and de Campi have brought plenty of good stuff here which is more than ably delivered. For me, I’m just not sure it all fits together as seamlessly as I’d like. Perhaps it’s a case of too many good ideas tugging in different directions.

Doggy super heroes battling evil robots whilst saving kids from gang violence is definitely something I can get behind, and I’m more than happy to give this arc space to find its feet. With promise of more frenetic action and animal escapades, I’d predict good things.

Rating: 3/5.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK – CLICK TO ENLARGE]