Review - Stray Bullets: Killers #4

Review by Paul Fiander
Please be aware that there will be spoilers for the previous issues.

David Lapham is back for another dose of the darker slice of life that is Stray Bullets. In a slight twist to the narrative this issue sees two of the past issues characters joining forces. Virginia was the smart mouthed babysitter from issue 3 and Eli from the first issue. It turns out the car crash that ended Eli’s dad’s life also took one of his legs. It gives our young focal point yet another barrier to the happy life we all crave. Of course Virginia is far from a well rounded individual as we saw in her dealings with Mr Fingers. Her relationship with Eli is the central focus of the issue and it is far from a Fairy Tale.

Lapham’s ability to tie together two unfortunate souls is what gives this issue in particular the draw it needs. There is surprisingly little action yet you still feel engrossed to turn every page, this really comes down the interaction between the characters in the story. The balance of the relationships is tenuous at best. This is not just in regards to our young couple but also includes the way they interact with the others around them.

Before the accident Eli seemed like an outsider, his home life forced him to be a parent for his little sister and basically look after his family as a whole. This is not a situation that has improved and with his injuries things seem to have gotten worse, this is shown brilliantly by the way he interacts with his cousin. He is treated like a joke and it is obvious why he seeks out comfort from Virginia and it is actually a touching situation. This shows a different side to Lapham’s writing as he is able to give joy to his characters as well as his usual streak of despair.

Stray Bullets is one of the best looks at life on the shelves, this is completely down to Lapham’s ability to delve into the psyche of his characters and bring out both their light and dark sides. This Issue is the best of the run so far. It deals with the joy and hope of our young star crossed lovers in an almost Romeo and Juliet manner and following in the great bard’s footsteps everything is far from peaches and cream.

Issue Rating; 4.5/5
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