Veil HC
Review by Paul Fiander
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We covered the first issue of Veil on its release and the intriguing story did a great job of setting up the world but at the end of the issue left a big question mark for what was to come. Obviously with the release of the trade we now know and although the high point of the issue was its off kilter beginnings the rest of the story still has a lot of depth. Greg Rucka and Tony Fejzula quite literally have taken the reader on an emotional journey full of questions and only a few answers.
The end of the book has black and sketchbook filled with Toni Fejzula's art; it's great to see the creative process as the Veil is lifted on the books production. It is though notes from editor Scott Allie that helps to lift the lid on what makes Veil. In modern comics it seems back matter has started to matter again. This is especially true when creators open up their process to us. Trade readers though do often get the short end as they do not get the full creator exposure that issue readers do. This small piece by Allie is economical in size but big on exposition it reads "The world around her sexualizes Veil, but Greg and Toni had to be careful about how they portrayed that themselves." This then becomes the crux of the tale as Veil is seen as a fragile woman by some but in reality she is so much more. As the story goes on we get to see her many facets and as the cover depicts she is more than she seems. From her very first appearance she is shown in the most vulnerable state a human can be in. But as the story moves on the reader is led to question her vulnerability on more than occasion. This is one of the centrepieces of Rucka’s writing; the challenges on perceptions as well as the change in storytelling formula make this not only an intriguing read but also one that may not be for everyone. If you are going to dip into the world of Veil the trade is probably the best way to go about it. The story flows in its collected form in a way that single issues with the gap in-between may have left some readers a little bemused. The five issue story feels well rounded even if you are left scratching your head at its conclusion. |
Preview Images
More from Greg Rucka and the First issue review of Veil
Images and review copy courtesy of Dark Horse
