Pick of the Week: January 4, 2012 - Fatale #1

Earlier this week, I mentioned that one of my goals this year is to read more creator-owned comics. Along with that, I want to make sure that I share all of these good comics with as many people as I can to help combat some of the negativity about comics that is permeating the social media-verse. So, I'm going to write a brief review of my picks of the week this year with the hope that you'll pick some of them up.

This week's pick is Fatale #1 from Image Comics. It's written by Ed Brubaker (Captain America, Criminal, Incognito) with art by Sean Phillips (Criminal, Incognito, Marvel Zombies).

Brubaker and Phillips have continued their success in the Crime Noir genre, but they add Horror to the mix this time around.

The story starts in the present, but soon flashes back to the 1950s (a great time for Crime Noir) where not everything is at it seems. There's a femme fatale, corrupt cops, a dogged reporter, a cult (cults are fun, right?), shadowy men with guns, and, based on the alternate cover, we should see monsters very soon, too.

Fatale #1 was different, fresh and left me eager for the next issue, which is a sign of an excellent monthly comic book.

One of the cool things that Brubaker & Phillips have done for fans is to provide exclusive bonus content in the single issues of their comics. And Fatale #1 includes an interesting essay on H.P. Lovecraft, as well as comments from Brubaker and artwork by Phillips. It's their way of saying "Thank you for NOT waiting for the trade." The bonus content is not included in the collected editions nor will you find it in the digital versions, and it's a nice perk for following the series monthly.

If you're a fan of Criminal and Incognito, Fatale is a no-brainer.

If you're only familiar with Brubaker's work on Captain America (and it's really good stuff) then you owe it to yourself (and to him) to check out his creator-owned comics, and Fatale #1 is a great place to start.

You'll find Fatale #1, (along with other comics from Brubaker and Phillips) at Alter Ego Comics or your local comic book store.