In BETTIE PAGE: THE CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #1, available from Dynamite Comics on June 2nd, 2021, Bettie Page and her colleague, Lyssa, are sent on government assignment to investigate a series of murders in Ireland reported to be committed by a Banshee.
The Details
- Written By: Stephen Mooney
- Art By: Jethro Morales
- Colors By: Dinei Ribero
- Letters By: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Art By: Marat Mychaels
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: June 2, 2021
Was It Good?
It’s not your typical Bettie Page story, but I liked it.
Dynamite’s Bettie Page runs have had a reputation for portraying the titular character (*ahem*) as a bit of an airhead that manages to save the day with a sunny disposition and an unfathomable amount of luck.
Here, Bettie still has a flair of ditzy demeanor in her personality, but she’s also a fearless and thorough detective. It’s a different kind of Bettie and a welcome one.
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The art from Morales is spot on for Bettie’s posture and demeanor, especially capturing the sly smile that’s so effective in charming men to get her way. Admittedly, there’s not a trace of cheesecake in the issue (except for the cover), so if you’re looking for the scantily clad vixen to strike a pose, this may not be the series for you.
You can see what we mean when you check out our BETTIE PAGE: THE CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #1 preview.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Bettie Page is a freelance agent for the government who’s developed a bit of a reputation as a monster hunter. She and another agent, Lyssa, are called in to utilize their monster hunting talents to investigate a series of murders in Ireland the locals have attributed to a banshee.
Before we get too far into it, we see the latest murder in action, and there’s no doubt something strange, if not supernatural, has happened.
Bettie and Lyssa travel to Ireland on an early flight, and while they travel, Lyssa asks get-to-know-you-type questions. Both in the vernacular of the dialog and the topics that occupy her mind, Bettie is just as bubbly and happy-go-lucky as ever. You might say she’s even a bit boy crazy. Within just the first few pages, the creators capture the right personality and attitude of Bettie Page, even if the setting is a bit odd.
Bettie and Lyssa arrive in Ireland where they meet up with Maire Dineen, local librarian and hardcore skeptic on the banshee nonsense locals are spouting. Maire gives them the rundown on banshee lore and specifics about the murders, but she’s adamant nothing supernatural is going on. Bettie and Lyssa aren’t ready to draw conclusions but they describe a few myths and monsters they’ve encountered in their cases to make Maire think twice.
It’s a bit bizarre to see Bettie Page talk about encountering werewolves and fairies in such a bubbly manner. She treats the topics with no more seriousness than talking about the weather. It’s almost innocent, but the context of the stories convinces you she’s seen more dark and dangerous things than most.
The trio heads out to the scene of the last murder and realizes some big commotion had to have taken place to break in the door the way it was damaged. Next, they had to the local pub where the murder victim’s brother, Fintan, is drinking away his sorrows. However, pubs in this area are not known for allowing women inside.
When they enter the pub, some of the crustier men decide to show them out before Lyssa punches out the first one to get too friendly with his hands. Lyssa’s impressive and definitive use of force causes the remaining patrons to reconsider their “no women” policy and they decide to let the agents be about their business.
They find the murder victim’s brother who’s nearly frantic. He believes his brother was killed by a banshee, and anyone who hears the banshee’s cry is the next victim. He heard the cry, and he believes he’s next.
Bettie, Lyssa, and Maire stand guard outside the brother’s home to see if a banshee really does show up or if he’s completely daft. When things get too quiet, Maire decides to talk to the neighbors to find out if they heard a wail.
We conclude the issue with Bettie and Lyssa responding to an awful racket from inside the house.
How Does It End?
A wail pierces the night. The brother, Fintan, loses his mind… literally. Bettie sees something she’s never seen before.
Final Thoughts
BETTIE PAGE: THE CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #1 is the smart, fun, sassier version of The X-Files starring America’s favorite pin-up. The writing, particularly the sharp, witty banter, is excellent, and the art is clean and slick. This is not your grandpa’s Bettie Page story, but it 1,000% works.
Score: 9.5/10
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