Hard lives are about to get a whole lot harder.
Creative Staff:
Story: Gail Simone
Art: Cat Staggs
Colors: Cat Staggs
Letterer: Simon Bowland
What They Say:
A slick and ruthless Chicago hitman. A smart but downtrodden Seattle housewife. When an inexplicable event strikes these two random strangers, their bodies, souls, and lives are switched to potentially deadly effect. It’s Freaky Friday meets Goodfellas!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
When you have two great talents like Gail Simone and Cat Staggs out there coming together for a project you really do need to check it out. Even if the concept doesn’t seem to be your cup of tea because you’re not always going to get what you think it is. I’ve been a fan of Simone for some time, going back quite a few years, and have really enjoyed Stagg’s artwork along the way as well, with some good Wonder Woman and Supergirl books. The pairing of these two talents is pretty ideal as Staggs gets to bring to life something that’s, so far, very real world and grounded but with a sense of energy and oppression amid it that’s really engaging, especially with the heavy use of blacks throughout it.
The opening issue tells two tales that intersect toward the end to introduce us to the leading characters. The initial focus is on Cason Bennett, a hitman that’s dealing with some rough assignment material in killing someone that he’s known since the second grade but has been told to eliminate. It’s cold and brutal but it reinforces what kind of person he is, both in the act and how he deals with his boss on it later. The supporting cast in his realm is interesting but in a way that feels (appropriately) predictable with the men and women that reside in it. When he’s sent on an assignment to check on the boss’s grandson Sigmund, even after just killing his own best friend, he’s reluctant but still gives into it. That leads him to a bad scene that said adult grandson got involved in, which in turn leads to the body swap moment that happens with our other main character.
That being Juniper Blue, a truly put upon suburban second wife to an absolute ass of a man. While Cason’s story was solid, this is one that feels like it has more weight and emotion behind it as Juniper only finds solace in the time between places she has to be, not at the destinations. Which makes sense considering what you see happening to her. She’s not a weak person but she wilts easily in front of so many so as to not offend or to avoid something darker happening. Her husband is bad enough but the stepkids are pretty brutal toward her and their friends are just as vicious, including a few local teenage boys that you frankly expect to just accost her right there in the street. The initial reaction may be something of an eye roll or “that doesn’t really happen,” but it’s so close to the truth for so many that it just feels the weight of it all the more. So when that switch comes, even knowing the ramifications of it won’t be fult until the next issue, it’s pretty powerful on both accounts with what they have to face now.
In Summary:
Crosswind is a solid setup. One that’s familiar but has some solid style to it through what Cat Staggs brings to the table as well as Simone’s character work that feels stronger with Juniper than Cason – if only because Cason’s story feels so familiar. Stagg’s artwork definitely works well for me with a rougher and raw approach that fits perfectly here with some very stylish pieces. I like what’s presented here and I can see how nuts it can go, and how humorous it can go, in the coming issues. Crosswind is definitely one to keep an eye out for and one that I’m putting on my trade-watch list as I get the feeling it’s going to click better for me in larger chunks than monthly installments.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 17+
Released By: Image Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: June 21st, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
