REVIEW: Sex Criminals #1

Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Chip Zdarsky

Chip Zdarsky

Chip Zdarsky

Chip Zdarsky

Review: William R. Davis Jr.

Matt Fraction has arguably been one of the top three writers in comics for the past two years, and without a doubt he is the best writer at Marvel. I bet Mark Waid is peeing in his Cheerios right at this moment as you are reading these words.  While I was sad to hear of his departure from the Fantastic Four books, I was equally excited for the release of this new Image title. I still read my fair share of the superhero genre, but visionary writers tend to do their best work when they are uncensored and given free reign. However, I did find his latest independent release Satellite Sam to be almost unreadable and visually awkward, but this book has been a rare miss in an Eisner award winning career thus far. Although Sex Criminals received more hype than almost any title I can remember from other creators on Twitter, I had to temper my expectations a bit  because of my dislike for Satellite Sam.

We've seen it happen all over the comic world, as great writers slip into comfortable positions at their respective companies and become anointed by the industry, the quality of their work starts to quickly spiral into mediocrity. While I won't drop specific names, look to almost any of the flagship creators at the big two, or the creator of a certain zombie book that has grown quite popular over the last four years as prime examples of people who are just cashing checks at this point.  Almost all of Hickman's work at Image has been nothing short of legendary so far, and I only want what is best for comics, so I found myself hoping that this release by Fraction would give him the catalyst he needed to stay at the top of his creative game.

Sex Criminals cannot be easily labeled after only one issue. The first offering was well drawn with an interesting plot full of literary references, musings on sexual development in modern America, and the introduction of a female lead that could have been easily  ruined by giving it the Liefield treatment. Instead, the main character Suzie was given a clear and believable voice while remaining tasteful and not exploitative. Sex Criminals is a provocative title for a monthly series, and while the content can boast the same, it does not rely solely on the use of shock value in order to develop the narrative. The only worry  that I did have after reading  was whether the theme of "orgasms stopping time" in Sex Criminals was a workable continuing theme. A part of me has a hard time seeing this run go ninety issues after reading only just one.

Suzie, the main character stops time involuntarily after every orgasm. She is confused by this "superpower" until she meets Jon who shares it as well. The first issue deals mostly with the introduction of characters; with this being Fraction's strength it is extremely solid stuff and well worth your $3.50. Both Jon and Suzie have altruistic motives that directly conflict with different corporate agendas, leading them to "rob from the rich in order to give to the poor" while time is stopped. This big reveal takes place at the very end of issue one.

I can't help but wonder how an off-beat superhero book that requires the main characters to have orgasms before they are able to use their superpower is sustainable, and the "occupy" aspect  of the story struck me as a bit cliché as well. But if anyone can pull a rabbit out of a hat, it has to be Matt Fraction, so I will continue to read in the hope that Sex Criminals will be another classic by an already lauded and respected comic writer. Chip Zdarsky gives the title an almost psychedelic quality that makes it very stylistically unique and inviting. His art does not necessarily carry issue one, but it meshes well with the dialogue producing a very attractive book.

Sex Criminal or Disco Biscuit

Sex Criminals #1 is already sold out of it's first printing. It looks like Fraction and Zdarsky released the right book at the right time. After all of the hype fades and the Eisner glow is washed away, I am anxious to see if this book is able to meet or exceed all of the expectations placed on it by industry heavyweights. I do know one thing, comicdom is well served by Fraction's greatest efforts to date. Here's to hoping that Sex Criminals is able to continue that legacy. For the time being I will be front row for every orgasm, anxiously tuned in and waiting to see what happens with this new series.