Gypsy Rose

    (Comics Conspiracy, 2004)
™ and © Comics Conspiracy

Though the title character of this comic book apparently has nothing to do with the late stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee, Ms. Rose does indeed tease readers with a little flesh. And, coming from the more than capable pen of Ron Adrian (Dreams of the Darkchylde, Coven), this is hardly a complaint. In an afterword, Rose creator Doug Miers spends a page and a half griping about the extreme lateness of the art, but in this case, late is certainly better than never. Miers also explains why the issue is not in color.
Although his complaints are certainly valid, Miers would have served readers better by providing something in the text pages about Gypsy Rose herself, since very little biographical info is given within the storyline. Readers will catch on that Rose is a Romani woman who carries the fourth nail of The Crucifixion, and that demons will catch up to her if she stays in once place too long (hence the gypsy designation).

However, there’s little indication of how Gypsy became this way in the first place, and equally little effort is given to illustrate the sheer loneliness that must come from having such a heavy cross to bear (so to speak). Perhaps subsequent issues will address these, well, issues.

In addition to the main feature, there’s a nicely drawn backup story called “We Don’t Do Heroes Any More,” which is a curious (and potentially controversial) take on heroism, violence, and creativity in a post–Sept. 11 America.

— Brett Weiss
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1 Variation A

March, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $49.98 		Doug MiersRon Adrian, Mike Dimayuga
#2 Variation A

June, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $69.98 		Doug MiersGabriel Guzman, Amilton Santos, John Jett