Review - Sex Criminals #1

Paul Fiander
Story by; Matt Fraction
Art by; Chip Zdarsky 
Is a newly created series and the first issue was released on the 25th of September 2013
In a change to my normal routine I'm going to start with a spoiler but don't worry it does not hurt the story. It concerns the very last page of Sex Criminals, with a message that reads; 

For Mature Readers Duh, don’t sell this to a kid what are you, nuts? Seriously

The message is delivered in an almost comical way and when I read it I hear it in what I assume is Suzie's (the books narrator and main character's) voice. The book is an adult comedy with a really great sense of maturity, but the very name Sex Criminals should give people an indication about the subject matter. However the fact the author still feels the need to put this in says a lot about the medium is viewed by many. I'm not going to go on a rant at this time but I do worry that the message has still not proliferated to the general consciousness. 

On with Suzanne's (Suzie's) story. This issue is an origin story told in the first person for the majority but it starts in the present with a couple about to have sex in a bathroom. The panels show random scenes and although none are explicit you can easily get the idea of what is about to happen, or can you? From here on out we are guided by Suzie as she tells us about her past and how she found out about her "special gift". The fourth wall is totally demolished at this point as we an older Suzie watching over the key developments of her younger life. There is drama in the story but at all times we are reminded that this is essentially a comedy. In this Matt Fraction shows a great eye for comedic timing and I found myself smiling through most of the story. The way Suzie deals with her early life is refreshing; she finds an area to concentrate on but also a way to vent her pain. Although these concern an extraordinary power you can easily relate to her on a personal level.

The visuals by Chip Zdarsky seem a perfect fit for the story. The characters are realistic and the use of a strong palette in the powers scenes create a wonderful cacophony of colours. Zdarsky does get to do some visual comedy as well with his depiction of an alternative Karma Sutra penned on a toilet wall. The drawings themselves as well as the reactions from the characters are one of the highlights of this first issue in terms of comedy.
There are a few nods to the way I expect the series to go and one feels very ham fisted but it's a small moan on an otherwise great introduction into the world of Sex Criminals. If the creators can continue the bar they have erected with this issue then this series will become one of favorite new IP's.
Images courtesy of Image Comics
Comic - Provided by Image Comics