Reviewed by: Shawn Swanson
Alice Hotwire has traded the old wooden cross for a spook-evicting-gadget-thing nailed to a wooden board, and the words “The power of Christ compels you” for “Oh Crap!”. To say the least, this is not your fathers Exorcist.
Issue number 2 opens with a murdered man staggering into the police station. The ongoing riot has taken over more of the city and every cop is out in the middle of it. meanwhile, Hotwire is off gallivanting with a giant flaming skull. What happens next? You’ll have to read the issue for yourself to find out. I will tell you this: everything about the murdered guy is very cool.
Steve Pugh is a fantastic artist and his writing is quite good. My only real critique of this issue would be that there are moments where dialog is placed unnecessarily. Let me explain my meaning here; Steve’s illustrations through much of this book are so poignant, so perfectly rendered, that the words seem to detract from the moment somehow. A picture is worth a thousand words and Steve’s pictures are worth a million. He’s done a fantastic job with Hotwire. I’m not sure if Warren Ellis would have done much better.
When Steve Pugh was asked about writing a story created by Warren Ellis he had this to say:
“It’s been an enormous project, but I’ve been determined to get Alice into print for years, and I’m actually pleased it’s taken this long, because artistically, I think I’m at the top of my game,” Pugh said. “It’s only through utter arrogance and ridiculous self-belief that I could rewrite a story by one of the most famous comic writers in mainstream publication.”
Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #2 is a fast, fun, wiz-bang of a comic, that chooses to be SiFi when it could so easily become just another silly and unbelievable horror book. I like what Steve has created. Hotwire is a gutsy effort and the fact that it’s a one man show from script to lettering is impressive.
If you looking for a good Warren Ellis style SiFi thriller than Hotwire is a must read. The comic is published by Radical Publishing and went on sale March 18th. Get down to you’re local comic shop and check it out.
HOTWIRE: REQUIEM FOR THE DEAD #2 (2 of 4)
Created by STEVE PUGH and WARREN ELLIS
Based on a story by WARREN ELLIS
Writer and Illustrator STEVE PUGH
Letterer STEVE PUGH
March 18th, 28 page, FC, $2.99
3 cover
Hotwire #2 Cover A – Steve Pugh Diamond Code: JAN094395
Hotwire #2 Cover B – Stjepan Sejic Diamond Code: JAN094396
Hotwire #2 Cover C – Alan Brooks Diamond Code: JAN094397
