PLAINER JANE #1, from Broken Face Comics on October 6th, 2021, details a coming-of-age story about a little girl who likes to kill and grows into a prolific contract assassin.
The Details
- Written By: David Wilburn
- Art By: Wayne Lowden
- Colors By: Robert Last
- Letters By: Tim West
- Cover Art By: Ralph Singh
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: October 6, 2021
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Was It Good?
PLAINER JANE #1 is the type of black story that appeals to a very specific reader. That reader is fine with violence and black wit. We are that type of reader, and therefore, we thoroughly enjoyed this issue.
The premise is exactly what the blurb spells out, and it does so by wondering aloud a very simple question – If you’re good at killing, why not make a career out of it? What makes Jane, the main character, fascinating is her complete ease with death as though it were just another hobby. Here, there is no moral safety net by depicting Jane only killing “bad people”. Jane kills because she can and the money’s good. She’s less Punisher and more Dexter in that regard but with substantially more callousness.
That’s the key to this issue’s success. Jane is a psychopath of the highest order but still an ordinary High School girl doing all the things High School girls do when they’re on the verge of adulthood. She’s a fascinating character, and you can’t help but wonder how her horrifying career path will turn out.
The art is fine. The pencils and inks are better than average for an indie comic, and the visuals are elevated by an occasional splash of red for dramatic punch. The issue doesn’t have the cleanest or most polished lines in the world, but the art looks good when it counts for the focal point of each panel.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin by meeting Jane as she approaches an ordinary suburban house to ask the owner if he’s seen her lost dog. When she points to a dog sighting in his backyard, the owner escorts her to the secluded yard where Jane promptly stabs him in the heart. Jane is a contract killer.
We flashback to Jane’s younger years in grade school where she first started killing for money. At first, it was a wounded bird. Soon, her challenges grew bigger and more varied. Jane narrates the memories and makes it clear she doesn’t come from an abusive family or has endured some deep trauma. Jane is simply comfortable killing.
Later, we follow Jane as she navigates the assorted vendors of Career Day at her upper school. Not finding anything to her liking, Jane feels the familiar pressure of parents and school officials egging her on to make decisions about her future. We conclude the issue with Jane researching a different kind of career, her first job, and the beginnings of a successful reputation.
Final Thoughts
PLAINER JANE #1 has all the hallmarks of a fascinating story about a likable psychopath. The character construction works on every level, the kills are brutal, and the art is better than average for an indie comic.
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