Review - Fatale Deluxe Edition Volume One Hardcover

Review by Paul Fiander
Truthfully I prefer trades they feel more real in your hands and tend to last better than individual issues. This is probably more due to love for completed or a least semi-completed stories but none the less I still love the weight of book in my hands and it’s one of the reasons I cannot bring myself to go fully digital. I have a strong connection with Image trades but this is my first exposure to Fatale except form viewing the covers and knowing a little about the story.

This collection is made up of the first 10 issues of the story and comprises 2 volumes namely Death Chases me and the Devils Business. From the names given you can start to understand this is not a book for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. The art is graphic at times and be prepared to see the human form in states of undress and distress. The art by Sean Phillips is strong all the way through the volumes and when the colours are added by Dave Stewart you are really in for a visual treat. The 2 volumes take place over two separate decades and the art reflects the change in clothing and surroundings. It helps add to the realism of the plot and shows the care the artistic team put into the comics production.

Art wise the back matter is a treat as well as you get to see all the issue covers and believe me these are beautifully created and strangely better with the removal of the title and other bumf you usually find on the outer layer of your comic. There are also early art drawings again helping you to get deeper into the creative process.

As with most comics the art only tells half the story, you need a script to complete the partnership and here Ed Brubaker shows why he has become something of an award magnet in the last decade or so. The characters are created with depth and you cannot help but become emotionally attached to Josephine even though she is more of an idea than a true character. This is wonderfully explained by Megan Abbott in the books introduction and I wish I had her eloquence when trying to explain what makes Jo so appealing. Instead I’ll just have to let find out for yourself.

The two complete arcs you find wrapped up in this hardcover are stellar storytelling and worth reading for the first time in this format or even grabbing gain if you want to indulge yourself all over again. The book will cost around £30 (in the UK price checked on Amazon) and that is basically the cost of the ten issues making this a great deal. The only trouble is we have to wait to March the 18th for the physical copy to drop on this side of the Atlantic.

Rating; 4.5/5
I’m reviewing this in a digital format so cannot truly comment on the paper stock and cover used to create this title. However know Images usual choice both should be top grade. I do suggest though you do look around further if is the type of thing that would turn you off of book because truly this is one train ride you will not want to miss.
The Comic is available in print from Image comics. Follow this link for more details.
Images courtesy of Image Comics
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