SCARLETT COUTURE: THE MUNICH FILE #3, from Titan Comics on 10/11/23, brings Scarlett’s team closer to exposing the KlassBank conspiracy. But can she survive long enough to get the job done?
The Details
- Written by: Des Taylor
- Art by: Des Taylor
- Colors by: Des Taylor
- Letters by: Des Taylor
- Cover art by: Fernando Dagnino (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: October 11, 2023
Is SCARLETT COUTURE: THE MUNICH FILE #3 Good?
Unless you’re a die-hard fan of the series, SCARLETT COUTURE: THE MUNICH FILE #3 is a tough read. Des Taylor’s latest entry moves the players in place to expose KlassBank or die trying, but the issue is almost entirely waylayed by a flashback to the agency’s origins in WWII. If you’re still getting to know Scarlett and keeping up with the mission at hand, this issue is a momentum killer.
When last we left Scarlett and her spying friends, she managed to enlist the help of an ex-boyfriend to decrypt stolen files, confirming KlassBank is at the heart of an International crime conspiracy. Now, Scarlett tightens her circle of trust for a plan to expose KlassBank and bring their criminal dealings to a halt. Meanwhile, Scarlett uses the travel time on a flight to explain the heritage of her agency, starting in WWII.
In a comic that contains only 22 pages of story, the flashback takes up most of 10 pages. That’s nearly half an issue for a flashback that bears only minor relevance to the current arc. Des Taylor made the wrong call by putting the arc on pause to tell a story that has enough meat to be a story in and of itself but not enough relevance to the current plot to justify putting the brakes on the story’s energy.
What’s great about SCARLETT COUTURE: THE MUNICH FILE #3? Scarlett and her friends are making moves to expose KlassBank, so the anticipation is picking up steam. Tension and anxiousness are building now that the race is on to bring down Klass or die trying.
What’s not so great about SCARLETT COUTURE: THE MUNICH FILE #3? The flashback is much too long and not nearly relevant enough to the arc. For a flashback of that size and detail, Taylor would have been better off creating a one-shot spin-off comic rather than killing the forward momentum.
How’s the art? Consistently good. If you like Des Taylor’s animation style, you’ll like this issue. As noted in previous reviews, the animation-cell look feels out-of-pace with the gritty nature of the story, but for some readers, that’s part of the appeal.
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What’s SCARLETT COUTURE: THE MUNICH FILE #3 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our SCARLETT COUTURE: THE MUNICH FILE #2 review to find out how Scarlett got her hands on the encrypted file data.
We begin with Scarlett arriving in London to meet with her trusted allies. They have the decrypted files and work to piece together how KlassBank uses LADON to infiltrate world powers for criminal gain. Scarlett’s plan will take place in New York, so she hops a private jet.
En route, Scarlett explains to her new allies how her agency first came to be, starting with Sir Winston Churchill’s edict to create a covert team of operatives comprised solely of women with unique talents.
We conclude the issue with a long flashback, an unexpected call, and an ultimatum.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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SCARLETT COUTURE: THE MUNICH FILE #3 mixes equal parts planning to expose KlassBank, and a very long but irrelevant flashback explaining the origins of Couture. The art and writing are technically fine, but the unnecessary flashback puts the brakes on the entire story for little reason.
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