Comments on: Voluminous Vertigo Week: Scalped #14

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:50:17 +0000

So, there you have it, Brain. The creator agrees with you.

Huzzah!

By: TimCallahan

TimCallahan — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:43:51 +0000

For the record, I asked Jason Aaron about whether or not HE felt that the book improved after the first few issues and he said that Guera has been consistently excellent (although someone else pointed out that the colorist changed a few issues ago), but Aaron felt that the series really started to click for him with issues 4-5. He mentioned that the first three issues were really difficult to write, and he didn’t really start doing what he wanted to do until 4 or 5.

So, there you have it, Brain. The creator agrees with you.

By: sgt pepper

sgt pepper — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:08:36 +0000

I liked the first issues and see no problem with opening with a plot driven hook.

What about the coloring in this series? It does a great job of matching the mood of the story (and it’s gorgeous).

By: TimCallahan

TimCallahan — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:16:07 +0000

Hmm…You’re saying that R.M. Guera, who was already an experienced European artist, has improved as a storyteller over the course of a handful of issues? That seems unlikely. His work on the first few issues was excellent, and what’s more likely is that it took you a while to get used to his style. He was new to you, but he’s not a new artist. And I think the same thing is true for the story as well–it has been character-driven from the start, but you didn’t know the characters yet. Go back a re-read those early issues now that you have gotten into the groove of the book and see if the first few are of a weaker quality. I think you’ll find Jason Aaron and R. M. Guera started strong.

By: DubipR

DubipR — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:23:06 +0000

Best Vertigo title out right now. Plotting’s a bit slow but its more character driven. I knew this was going to be a good title, when in issue 2 Red Crow explains to the media of the plight of the modern American Indian. The research taken to make this real was nailed beautifully. I’m loving this book

By: Dan Bailey

Dan Bailey — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:21:50 +0000

“a lot of people iâ€™ve exposed to the book all agree that while the first three issues were decent, it seems like the book didnâ€™t really take off until issue 4.”

Maybe that’s why I dropped this one after reading the first 3 (I think) ishes. They seemed rather leaden to me.

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:00:02 +0000

I defy you to show me how the early issues show weakness that went away by the more recent issues.

The first three issues of Scalped were too plot-driven, since then, it’s been character driven.

That’s it in a nutshell.

I’d add that Guera has grown as a storyteller, as well, but the change from plot-driven to character-driven is the main stuff. And it’s been a highly appreciated change!

By: comb & razor

comb & razor — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:59:42 +0000

i dunno, Tim… a lot of people i’ve exposed to the book all agree that while the first three issues were decent, it seems like the book didn’t really take off until issue 4.

i wouldn’t say it was so much a complete “transformation” as a shifting of gears maybe.

By: Tim Callahan

Tim Callahan — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:26:23 +0000

Brian, I still don’t understand what you mean about the “transformation” of Scalped.

The series didn’t all of a sudden get better, it was good from the first issue. You may have started to connect with the series a few issues in, but the quality was there from the start. I defy you to show me how the early issues show weakness that went away by the more recent issues.

And yeah, it is one of the best comics on the stands these days. Reading the most recent, relatively minimalistic (but powerful) issue of “Scalped” right after I read the newest issue of the overwritten, over-expository “The Twelve” cemented my opinion of Jason Aaron’s genius.

By: comb & razor

comb & razor — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:25:29 +0000

"Casino Boogie" did in some ways move in circles (especially when you consider that at the end of that arc, we are at exactly the same spot that we were at the end of the previous arc!) but i don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. there was movement... just that it wasn't necessarily plot movement. not very rapid plot movement, anyway. what i would say about SCALPED is the same thing i still say in defense of the latter seasons of The Sopranos when people complained about "nothing happening" and not enough people getting whacked: it's character-driven storytelling.

By: Olly McPherson

Olly McPherson — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:50:11 +0000

I collected it through issue 13, but it was just moving too slowly for me. None of the plot threads seemed to be progressing; Casino Boogie, the second arc, seemed to rehash the same points with each issue.

Also, I understand the point Aaron is trying to make about the legacy of centuries of horrible mistreatment of the Native American community, but the overwhelming depravity of every character and situation just felt over the top.