Three Strikes

(Oni, 2003)
™ and ©2003 Oni Press

Crime comics have seen a resurgence in the past couple years, thanks in no small part to Oni Press’ impressive line of titles like Shot Callerz and Skinwalker. In fact, this series reunites the Skinwalker writing team of DeFelippis and Weir, and both successfully reuse many of the tricks that made their prior series shine.

One of these tricks was the use of dual vantage points from radically different characters, and it’s used to good effect here. Rey Quintana is trying to get his life on track after two criminal convictions, but, after getting caught shoplifting, he faces the possibility of 20 years in prison under California’s three-strikes law. Noah Conway is a bitter, divorced ex-cop now working for a bail bondsman, tracking down bail-jumpers. And, when Quintana skips town, it’s a pretty good bet just who will be tracking him down.

DeFelippis and Weir make it seem so simple; in this introductory issue, they firmly establish these two characters and, more importantly, make them believable. With this foundation laid, readers are hooked, because, even though it’s more than apparent that these two characters’ paths will intersect, the fun is anticipating the whens, wheres, and hows.

Artist Hurtt is also part of the creative reunion, but the look of this series is noticeably different, primarily due to the absence of Skinwalker fellow artist Arthur Dela Cruz. But Hurtt does fine on his own, using traditional pencil-and-ink that’s probably better suited to the story than Dela Cruz’ usual hazy gray tones. This is another fine addition to Oni’s crime lineup, and anyone who’s enjoyed their other titles will enjoy this, as well.

— Jim Johnson / Comics Buyer‘s Guide’s Reading Room

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