Reviewer: Emma Coverdale
Publisher: WildStorm (DC Comics)
Writer: David Tischman and Philip Bond
Artist: David Hahn
Genre: Comic Book
MSRP: $2.99
Release Date: Available Now
“Blue Makes Her Look Fat.”
As a conspiracy junkie myself, the prospect of a comic book about secret organizations, government cover-ups and other conspiracy theories linked to UFOs had me anticipating the arrival of the first issue of Red Herring. When it finally arrived, I found myself hoping – no – wishing that it would be just as good as I imagined it would be and the truth is that it’s not only very promising but Red Herring also has all the makings of a truly unforgettable series.
In the country’s capital, a young woman by the name of Maggie MacGuffin prepares herself for yet another day at work. Going through the usual motions of chatting with her mother while getting dressed in front of her two roommates, Maggie wonders if she likes the direction her life is going or whether or not she likes the man her mother is dating. She even wonders about her job as an aide to a Democrat Congressman representing the state of Florida. She tells herself she even likes being tossed about the room by said Congressman who she is having an affair with seeing as the man is married.
In other words, Maggie questions her life and her happiness. That makes her a lot like everyone else and thus likeable character we can certainly relate to in this series. In the same city, two men in suits and looking very much like government spooks are speaking to a man named Meyer Weiner (get it?). Weiner is looking to help the two agents, one of which is a redheaded male who also goes by the moniker “Red Herring”). The man is asked to give the red haired man some documents and will meet in the park at night.
The story also focuses on a moment in 1951 in Fort Worth, Texas when a General comes knocking on the door of a secretive government building where a man in a white lab coat shows him a most startling item that was shipped from Roswell, New Mexico. The sight of the thing in the locker is enough to shock the General and offer all the resources the man might need. How this event will tie in to the story remains to be seen but it certainly covers the conspiracy aspect of the series.
Speaking of conspiracies, we also meet the heads of The Capricorn Group, a well-financed private foundation with a special interest in global security and the ability to bend political matters by way of creating demonstrations and other actions. This is where Weiner works and organizes the group’s file as a clerk. Ah, the plot definitely thickens. This fact doesn’t sit well with the new Security Chief, Cademon Hoyle.
When Maggie gets a call from who she thinks was the Congressman looking for a late night tryst when she gets attacked by a familiar face. In fact, she is nearly strangled to death and dropped beneath a small bridge where she is discovered by yet another familiar face who was waiting for Weiner to show up. It is here where the real story begins as these character’s lives collide on this fateful night.
A very promising start for a series about conspiracies and intrigue, Red Herring’s first issue is not only well-written but it also has good art that makes this a nice little package worth opening. While it’s still too early to tell how this story will turn out, what we see so far is a story that just aims to be an interesting series with a lot to offer.
COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN
STORY: B+
Maggie MacGuffin tells herself that she likes her body, her job and the Congressman who she has an affair with in her life as the Congressman’s aide. On the other side of the spectrum is a man known as the “Red Herring” who is plans on bringing down an organization that might just control the government itself. These two people will meet on a fateful night that will change both their lives.
ART: A-
David Hahn’s art is still a personal favorite artist of mine since Bite Club: Vampire Crime Unit and he does a magnificent job with this first issue.
OVERALL: B+
Red Herring has all the makings of a truly intriguing and downright appealing series that is worth checking out if you love a tale with interesting twists and turns. This is also a well-written and wonderfully drawn first issue that definitely shows a lot of promise. I know we’re definitely going to check out the next issue.
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