I know they say that you should never judge a book by its cover, but goddammit, when the cover is a gorgeous Stejpan Sejic , complete with a smile and a pair of thigh highs I am not sure how I can live up to that ideal!
Alex is a talented photographer, happy in his day to day. When he gets a call from a colleague asking for him to fill in, Alex’s world gets turned upside down. Maybe it was fate, or maybe it was Karma! Soon Alex is on a rollercoaster ride of business, sex, love and bondage, with Karma his guide to all sorts of shenanigans.
Dan Wickline is mainly know for writing a certain genre. Here he lives up to type by creating a voluptuous woman and a hunky man amongst a crowd of good looking people. In many ways the writing reminds me a little of Sunstone, but Wickline’s writing feels more soap opera-ish over the more subtle and possible genuineness of Lisa’s and Ally’s relationship. Pacing wise, Wickline moves from clothed to sex at warp speed. In doing so he trades nuance for spectacle, with a variety of situations that are meant to be sexy and fun, but can come across as contrived. The dialogue works in place, though there is a sense of over dramatic to it all. I also have a concern over the main characters; Karma is a gorgeous woman who has a girlfriend, a new hunky boyfriend and get annoyed when he partakes of the orgy that she herself brings him too. Then sleeps with her girlfriend without a care about him! What’s good for goose is purely for the goose it seems.
Carlos Reno provides the art in a style that is akin to an adult Zenescope book in large parts. Reno does a good job, early on with faces, though these details lose sway when the the boobs come out, and boy, do they come out! Reno’s art works well enough especially given that the focus of the book is several states of undress. which includes bondage. I am not squeamish in anyway, however I did find the sex a little too “made for tv”, almost manufactured in a way as too not offend. If you want a sexy book, then the the sexiness should be equal and natural, not feel forced or even staged. Colors are supplied by Marcio Freire and IHQ Studio, which like the art, works well in places though does tend to come across too digital in later stages. Letterer Carlos M. Mangual of Social Myth Studios drops another fantastic font, with nary an issue with the amount of verbiage that he needs to deal with. Of course the more visual elements of Alex and Karma’s relationships kind of levels the verbiage off.
Adult themes with adult images isn’t anything new in comic books, and I am pleased for the diversity that exist on the rack. That said, after reading this I find myself not really caring who gets who, or who helps who or who ends up with who. The interaction between the characters doesn’t quite work, which regardless of the amount of sex on show, has to work to make the book engaging.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 3.5
Overall – 3 Stars
Written by; Dan Wickline
Art by; Carlos Reno
Colors by; Marcio Freire & IHQ Studios
Letters by Carlos M. Mangual of Social Myth Studios
Covers by; Stejpan Sejic, Mirka Andolfo & Michael Dipascale
Published by; Dynamite Entertainment