In a world of intrigue … you never know who to trust.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Chelsea Cain
Supplemental Art: Lia Mitternique & Stella Greenvoss
Artwork: Elise McCall
Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters: Joe Caramagna
What They Say:
Super spy Nora Freud (no relation) has a plum assignment. She’s stationed on a tropical island. Her mission? Keep an eye on things. Her problem? The island is on the lip of the Bermuda Triangle, where anything can happen. Her other problem? This particular island is a den of intrigue, populated by spies, tourists, and evil villains set on global domination. Spy Island is a four-issue special limited series by the creative team that brought you Man-Eaters. New comics series from New York Times best-selling author Chelsea Cain!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
The ocean is a warm and calming place, and for Nora she has always found it welcoming, except for the times when she must complete a mission within its comforting embrace. The man never knew someone was trying to kill him, but as his nightly swim was interrupted and he futilely struggled against the saline waves, there was nothing he could do but wait as Death’s cold embrace slowly dragged him to the bottom. This spy knew her occupation well and the specifics as to how to kill efficiently, and more importantly, she did it without remorse as to the suffering of her latest victim – it was only another job. With his lifeless body now sinking within the watery confines, Freud calmly walked out of the surf and removed her tight-fitting neoprene dive suit and gear, hiding them within lush undergrowth and donning more appropriate attire for a night at one of the things she dreaded the most … a suffocating fundraiser for the monetarily elite and others socially sophisticated who had the right connections.
And yet this gathering also served another more covert purpose: for within the grandiose bungalow of the Bermuda Triangle Preservation Society were also assembled operatives from various worldwide agencies, all with the singular intention of gathering information in order to outdo their rivals. But as Nora flirted with one of her male counterparts and promptly brushed off his awkward advances, the drinks that were ordered quickly disappeared within her grasp as she brusquely sauntered from his sight, all to arrange for a disappearance of the evening’s earlier refuse in an orderly manner. Although as she returned to the suffocating interior atmosphere, Freud found her prior tease Harry now in a disheveled state, his other attempts in seducing the fairer sex for juicy gossip rather successful. So as not to be outdone in the espionage department, the couple have a quick nocturnal rendezvous and both retire for the night, all in preparation of the coming morning’s arrival which make living on the island all the more tolerable – arrival of the ship from the mainland.
In Summary:
Honestly, when I saw this series was named Spy Island, the first impression which came to my mind were great spy novels by the likes of John le Carré, Robert Ludlum, Frederick Forsyth and of course Ian Fleming, but I am pleasantly surprised my supposition was at fault and this title grants us another much more desired reward. To read the self-deprecating exploits of Nora Freud as writer Chelsea Cain wonderfully crafts this story, it cannot but bring a smile to your face, portraying our heroine as a fiercely independent woman with all of the confidence she can best anyone who may stand in her way, but at the same time making fun of her situation. While the trite usage of an internal monologue may seem trivial, it is an excellent foil to materialize our heroine’s thoughts without the unnecessary need for others to become involved within an otherwise private moment for this caustic character. This initial escapade into her world is what we expect from this type of venture: a story which unfolds like a classic James Bond opening scene in which the director does not depend on outlandish explosions, but instead allows actors to tell the story themselves and mold the setting into what we expect for a sultry espionage professional. And yet what makes the narrative so unique is allowing the setting to be stuck in the Sixties, with a nod to the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle playing a role as to its nostalgic surroundings – complete with public smoking, gaudy dress suits, a modified playsuit for Nora, even as there are still influences of modern conveniences which are lacking due to the isolation of a place frozen in time. However what makes this story all the more refreshing is to watch a female spy take charge, allowing her skills and assets to dictate the pacing and not shying away from overt sexuality within the narrative, setting a laid back mood before we are introduced to the true danger and intrigue that is to come.
Although the story itself is wondrous in its own right, it is the breathtaking artistry of its depiction which endows this series with a memorable impression upon the reader, immediately striking a resonant chord with a sensational opening page similar to the movie Jaws. The amazing illustrations of Elise McCall may be the basis for this visually impactful foundation, but it is the psychedelic selection of colors by Rachelle Rosenberg that immediately grabs your attention and does not let go with the first panel, impressing upon the reader the beauty of nature with a striking array of pastels reflecting off the water amid a glowing sunset. One cannot but be caught up in the action thanks to McCall’s carefully detailed expression upon the man’s face, with the surroundings made all the more realistic thanks to beautiful pictures of native fish within the Atlantic Ocean. You cannot but smile to see Nora calmly timing his death as internal monologue explains the reasoning of the panels, even as we break away from the serenity of this murder with the building tension dissolving into a polka-dotted pastel background which seamlessly breaks away into the book’s credits, the opening as a whole a fitting lead-in montage for the classic James Bond film Dr. No, all that is missing are the rhythmic tones of the signature theme. However this comparison continues throughout the issue, with our secret agent emerging from the surf reminiscent to Ursula Andress’ portrayal of Honey Ryder, but instead of a skimpy swimsuit, Freud captures the sultry moment via a skin-tight wetsuit. But the dedicated flashback does not stop there, with our gorgeous lady donning a flamboyant fuchsia pantsuit with flaring bell-bottoms and striding into the party, with a comical nod to Cain’s other amazing title Man Eaters #1 laid out upon the table for all to see and the title cat hiding beneath it. And yet the amusing tributes to the Sixties do not stop with: retro Dymo embossed labels being used to point out each character, the guests starting a conga line during the party, Nora seducing Harry for a nocturnal rendezvous and surprising readers with the most laugh out loud image of all – a scene from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, with our hirsute male spy being compared to the title character, complete with Union Jack underwear, thereby connotating Freud to be Felicity Shagwell, only closing out with a tasteful pastel dissolve away and the word SEX allowing us to imagine the results of this pairing. One cannot but smile, giggle or outright laugh with all of these pleasing displays of nostalgia littered throughout this amazing premier issue, and if this but a touch of what they have in store, this title will hit the Bond bulls eye with what is to come.
While the language may be stilted at times, Spy Island has laid out a promising foundation for what seems to be well-meaning tribute to the spy genre and all of its inherent benefits and outlying problems. With striking artwork and mesmerizing colors dedicated to the time period, this book willingly pulls us into that turbulent decade and allows the narrative to entice readers into continuing the adventures of our dynamic heroine. The humor of the story and openness of the characters immediately cause us to become attached to these unique individuals, and if this premiere is any indication of what is to come, I for one cannot wait to see what the future will bring with the next issue.
Grade: A+
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: April 1st, 2020
MSRP: $3.99