Review – Masterpiece #2 (Dark Horse Comics)

January 12, 2024

3 minutes

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artwork: Alex Maleev
Colours: Ian Herring
Letters: Joshua Reed
Release Date: 10th January 2024

A while back, (actually years now!), I had the opportunity to review some Scarlet. Despite it coming highly recommended by one of those comic enthusiasts with unrivalled knowledge, it just never clicked with me. As such, it was with a little trepidation that I picked up this new series by Bendis, Maleev et al. Not really having any specific expectations of what I was going to read, I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining and engaging this was.

Putting aside the potential Mary Sue or wunderkind trope established in our protagonist with issue #1, here Bendis and the team get us stuck into what is essentially a classic heist caper. There’s no subtlety. This almost reads like an honest to goodness, by the book, character set-up and hooks. What’s ironically refreshing is that we can enjoy this at face value; as well as enjoy the clever nods and jibes on the premise. I am perhaps getting carried away a little and should give the skinny for those who didn’t catch the debut of this cracking new series.

Masterpiece, the titular character of Emma, is a young woman, girl really, who doesn’t know her parents and has unknowingly been raised hiding a secret. She is the offspring of the two greatest criminal masterminds of their age. Not so much underworld kingpins, more classy thieves responsible for jobs that inspire Hollywood blockbusters. Having been abducted from her school by phoney FBI agents, Masterpiece is delivered to the enigmatic and renowned billionaire Zero Preston, the man whose fortunes were lightened by her parents to the tune of a cool billion before they went into hiding. Instead of torture or monetary recompense, Masterpiece is given a simple enough ultimatum, hurt Zero’s corporate rival, in the same way her parents hurt him, or suffer the consequences…

This second issue continues to bristle with dark, clandestine conversations and outstanding character work from Maleev and Herring. I was particularly enamoured by the three consecutive pages of head shots for the crews; Hollywood, ‘real’, and half-baked current. One can find amusement at the lens through which we observe characters viewing idealised movie versions of themselves.

Masterpiece continues to provide snappy dialogue and characters which don’t strain the suspension of disbelief. Not everyone is likeable, even sometimes annoying, which builds a credible, grounded world. I love a good heist story and, whilst many might prefer a trade format to binge such a yarn, the single issue format allows the team to deliver those cliff-hangaresque moments. For me this is a solid example of the genre done well and I’m certainly looking forward to more.

Rating: 3/5.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK – CLICK TO ENLARGE]