FEMME NOIR #1 (of 4)

[MattGrant]

<img src="http://www.ape-entertainment.com/graphics/femmenoir1b.gif" align="left" hspace="10">
Title: FEMME NOIR #1 (of 4)
Publisher: Ape Entertainment
Writer: Christopher Mills
Art: Joe Staton and Horato Ottolini
32 pages, full color
$3.95

Safety Content Label: PG to PG-13, some violence.

Publishers Blurb:

On the mean streets of Port Nocturne, justice is blonde. Join writer Christopher Mills and Eisner award-winning artist Joe Staton as they crack open the case files of crime fiction's most unusual sleuth in an attempt to unmask the mystery woman known only as… Femme Noir!

Two variant covers- one by Joe Staton and the other by comic greats- Brian Bolland (issue #1), Matt Haley (issue #2), Phil Hester (issue #3), and Mike Weiringo (issue #4) will adorn each issue of this amazing series!

Reviewer Comments:

The title says it all: the story of a mysterious vigilante femme fatale set in a crime fiction/noir style. This first issue introduces us to said femme fatale and her many possible alter egos in the story "Blonde Justice." This particular yarn is done up in a narrative style where the narrarator is an equally mysterious man who is trying to find out the secret identity of Femme Noir. So far, this man has narrowed it down to three very different possibilities, a mob boss daughter, a night club singer, and an ace reporter. "Blonde Justice" takes a look at each of their three stories to discover the reasons that they might be Femme Noir.

This book has it all: mobsters, tough guys, tougher gals, no nonsense cops, and lots of gunplay! Everything you'd expect from a book titled Femme Noir. Christopher Mills' story has a great feel for the time period, and is very engaging. Each of the three sub-stories leaves you saying, "It's gotta be her!!!" until you read the next one, which is exactly the way it should be. The art is expertly executed (what you'd expect from and Eisner award winner) and compliments the story perfectly. Staton hits the mark of bridging everything you love about old crime/noir stories and gives it a slight modern sheen. It's safe to say that everything really comes together, and the noir vibe is in full effect!