Two-Step

    (WildStorm, 2003-2004)
™ and ©2003 Warren Ellis and Amanda Conner

Comic-book readers looking for something a little different from the average four-color experience should pick up Two-Step, a humor book from the free-flowing mind of the prolific Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan). Illustrated by the team of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti (the duo responsible for the beautifully drawn The Pro), the issue is filled with charming as well as humorously disgusting sight gags (a rat smoking a cigarette, a cat going to the bathroom), and the characters are pleasingly polished in appearance.

The story takes place in the streets of a candy-colored, Mardi Gras-like London, which is filled with belly dancers, musicians, anthropomorphic animals, and more. However, as colorful and as noisy as the place is, it can’t assuage the boredom of Rosi Blades, a “camgirl” whom an audience of 20,000 people follow vicariously via the Web. Rosi’s night picks up considerably, when a dashing, deliciously ironic “Zen gunman” races past in hot pursuit of a gangster carrying a mysterious package.

Ellis does a great job of creating a love-hate relationship between Rosi and the gunman, and the issue is filled with oddities and quirky quotables. (“I am a Zen gunman. Pulling the trigger is my act of contemplation.”) Hopefully, future issues will delve further into (that is to say, make fun of) modern society’s voyeuristic tendencies and ever-growing lust for sensational visual stimulation via the Internet.

— Brett Weiss
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#1

December, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
8 copies available from $0.99 		Warren EllisAmanda Conner
#2

March, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
4 copies available from $0.99 		Warren EllisAmanda Conner
#3

7-Jan-2004
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $0.99 		Warren EllisAmanda Conner