HENCHGIRL #1
“” (22 pages)
Story, Art, Cover, Letters: Kristen Gudsnuk
Publisher: Scout Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Looking for a career change? How about engaging in criminal activities? Mary Posa moonlights as a henchgirl for Crepe City’s dastardly crime boss Monsieur Butterfly. Unsurprisingly, there are very little pluses for this alternative employment compared to her day job – the pay is a little better and in her hands, she has some clout planning the schemes and heists, she succeeds at a caper through sheer luck.
Mary Posa simply can’t cut it. How come?? She has a conscience!! She could play the part more convincingly if she weren’t skirting between the grey area. Mary can’t keep an honest living since her résumé seems written by a kindergarten student.
Her personal life is going down the toilet. Luckily, she is doing a bit better in her illicit activities. Mary gains some much-needed chutzpa when she is passed on Employee of the Month by her sinister superior. Her ingenious plan of pulling off a heist in disguise gets approval and warrants her co-sharing of the distinction.
For some foolish reason, I assumed this was a one-shot. Obviously, I was in error. This title is Scout Comics’ premiere showing. Ardden Entertainment has been re-branded and evolved into a brand new publishing company. More material on the way!
Well-rounded protagonist. Diverse supporting cast in terms of friends, acquaintances, heroes, and villains. Established setting. Plot advancement. All check!
Kristen Gudsnuk is a one-woman wonder!! She is not the first to take on all duties. Any individual who can do five times the normal amount of work deserves rounds of applause. It is extremely apparent that Ms. Gudsnuk has poured her heart and soul into this debut issue. This is her labour of love. In fact, I will safely speculate that her voice carries through the tender-hearted abettor.
Ms. Gudsnuk’s art is a cross between Bryan Lee O’Malley’s style and Jeff Lemire’s. The latter creator is known for serious stories whereas the former focuses on humour. It permeates here. Parody is primo in this work. Mary Posa is no bumbling idiot but the notion of super-heroics and/or super-villainy is ludicrous!! The outrageousness is depicted in the facial expressions, twisted body renditions, and the situations.
Motif to the max:
Monsieur Butterfly (instead of Madame Butterfly)
Mary Posa (Mariposa, the Spanish word for ‘butterfly’)
Larry Va (larva)
Palawan Birdwing (butterfly endemic to the Phillipines)
Chris Sallis (chrysalis)
Katie Pillar (caterpillar)
Coco Oon (cocoon) – Mary’s new rival
It is a bold move to post the entire issue for free on the title’s proper website!! That is beyond generous, Ms. Gudsnuk 🙂 SPOILER!! The second issue is also on there in complete living colour. The pages were posted separately from June to October. The young hip creator also has a Tumblr account. Other characters are given mini-profiles. Lastly, Ms. Gudsnuk sells her work and does commissions. Truly thoughtful 😀
Breaking into the industry is an uphill battle. Bursting on to the scene as a neophyte company/creator/book is daunting!! As one acquaintance pointed out to me, the independent and underdog publishers are gaining ground in the market as fandom becomes frustrated with the gimmicky letdowns from the Big Two. As a result, low print runs and word of mouth led to instant sell-outs and exponential increase in value! I’m confident Mary will rise through the ranks in no time. I give this book an 8 out of 10 for her job performance.
