Calavera P.I. #1

Oni; $4.99

In 1925, Juan Calavera was a hero who protected the Chicano barrios where the police refused to work. After successfully stopping a human trafficking deal, the private investigator was shot and killed while trying to prevent another crime. Five years later on Dia de Los Muertos, his associate and reporter Maria Valdez summons Calavera’s spirit to help solve a kidnapping.

The first issue of Calavera P.I. introduces the private eye, the journalist, and a detective named Mike Randall. Each character has some of the stereotypes from detective fiction – Calavera’s a little sardonic and a drinker, Maria is dogged, and Randall is tough. But, writer-artist Marco Finnegan fleshes them out to be more interesting than well worn architypes. For the art Finnegan utilizes the deep shadows, darker colors, and minimalistic backgrounds to give it the mystery-thriller vibe.

The issue ends with newspaper articles written by Valdez that provide more context about Calavera. It’s a good start to the new story.

–Amanda Sheriff