I recently started working with Geek-O-Rama to do comic book reviews and last week my first review was published here. I encourage you to go and check out the site for reviews of all sorts of Geek oriented things. My latest review will drop today for the comic Bella at the Bar. I’ve been given permission to re-post my reviews here a week after the original post, so here is my review of Tart #1

Writer: Kevin Joseph
Artist: Ludovic Sallé
Publisher: Kechal Comics

Tart Acid wakes up in a new city with no idea why she’s there until she discovers someone in need, a little boy that disappeared from the park and is still missing. If the kid needs her help, it means the supernatural is involved, and things are bad.

There is a lot going on in this first issue of the comic, and there are a lot of questions left unanswered, but the story does not suffer from the lack of answers. Most of the story is conveyed through the art rather than prose and dialogue. The writing is sparse, and the dialogue is mostly brief exchanges rather than any sort of meaningful conversation, but there are brilliant moments where the writing and the art meld together to form powerful scenes that make the book well worth reading.

Since the art has to carry the load in this comic, it needs to be powerful, but it falls a little short at times. The primary issue I found was that the main character’s appearance shifts from looking the part of a young girl to being an adult woman. It is off putting and unsettling when it happens and pulls the reader’s attention away from the story.
As a whole, the art is good with an art-deco reminiscent style that is enjoyable and different in its style. The action sequences are well choreographed and well-drawn, but the artist excels in the moments where Tart is still and when she is smiling, as if it allows him to bring his vision to life more clearly than when she wielding her blade in anger.

When all is said and done, I would give this comic a solid three and half out of five stars. If the portrayal of the main character was more consistent I would easily give it a four.

You can find more on this comic at www.kechalcomics.com and tartwebcomic.blogspot.com.

DISCLAIMER: Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.