Mortal Coils #2

Title: Mortal Coils
Issue: #2
Date: 2003
Publisher: Red Eye Press
Writer: A. David Lewis
Penciler: Evan Quiring
Inker: James Cosper
Letterer: Dan Cooney
Cover: Maria Sundqvist, Jean Paul Torres
Editor: A. David Lewis

Two stories here, only tangentially related (there's a little throwaway bit in the background of a panel in the first story that links it to the second story).

First up is the tale of a TV network "hatchet-woman" sent to deliver a message to a technologically advanced production studio. Marlo Kurtz has to be tough to do her job in the high-stakes business world where she operates, but she dreams of a world where she can put her toughness to a whole different kind of test. The mysterious studio might just prove to be a bigger opportunity than she imagines.

The second story recounts a meeting between two old gamblers in a casino. As in the first tale, not everything is as it appears.

Both stories were clever and imaginative, with characters who held my interest and plots with some intriguing twists. Both felt like they could have used a longer or more elaborate treatment, and it will be interesting to see if this series ever revisits either scenario.

This is some good storytelling in comic form, with plots that are mature without resorting to gratuitous sex and gore. Not everything is explained, but for these stories, the bit of mystery is better than having the bacground spoon-fed to the reader. Artwork is effective, and has a couple of really good moments.

Rating: 7.5/10