REVIEW: Jennifer Wilde Part 1

 

JENNIFER WILDE   PART  1   28pages

Story:                    Rob Curley & Maura McHugh

Script:                   Maura McHugh

Art & Cover:       Stephen Downey

Cover Price:        TBC

Release date:    Available to buy in SubCity Comics in Dublin (other venues TBC – visit website)

Reviewed By:    Hilary Lawler

 

“At the start of the Jazz Age in Paris in 1921, young French artist Jennifer Chevalier becomes embroiled in death, espionage and revolution which takes her across the three nations of France, England and Ireland – ably assisted by the ghost of Oscar Wilde.”

Jennifer Wilde is an original 3-part comic book series published by Atomic Diner in Ireland. Story by Robert Curley and Maura McHugh, script by Maura McHugh and art, lettering and covers by Stephen Downey.

In this first comic, we get introduced to Jennifer in her Parisian apartment getting an unannounced visit from her estranged father.  Some short time after we find him meeting an untimely death, and the untold hidden life of this man begins to unfold.  While going through her grief and her dead fathers possessions, she comes across sketches and drawings that depict a man immersed in the arts and a character clearly at odds with his public persona as a war hero.

Jennifer asks for help as she realises her father has led a hidden life, and the smooth apparition of Oscar Wilde appears to ‘ably assist’.  Putting pieces of the past together, Jennifer begins to paint a true picture of her fathers’ shadow character, with light added via the dry wit of Oscars ghost.

This is a well crafted comic from a strong team of writers and artist.  A novel idea forged by both Rob and Maura, with a script that connects and gives confidence so that you know you’re in good hands.  Combine this with the skill of Stephens effortless flowing line work and you get well paced panels amid polished full page spreads awash with tones of grey.  It’s definitely something different and original and its winning combination of espionage and old world images have made Wilde Wednesdays worth waiting for.  It’s great to see such a strong variety coming out in Irish comics in the last while, and the first of this 3 part comic contributes very smartly to the line up.  I’m looking forward to the remaining 2 parts.

For more information make sure to check out http://jenniferwildecomic.com/