THE BLACKOUT BOMBSHELL #1, by Sumerian Comics on 9/20/23, examines the latest case of Private Investigator Jack Atlas after he accepts a job he can’t remember.
The Details
- Written by: Louis Southard
- Art by: Dean Kotz
- Colors by: Patrick Buermeyer
- Letters by: Buddy Beaudoin
- Cover art by: Heather Vaughan (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: September 20, 2023
Is THE BLACKOUT BOMBSHELL #1 Good?
Private Investigator Jack Atlas is having a bad day. But that’s to be expected when you have a habit of getting blackout drunk and wind up accepting cases you can’t remember, leading to a string of bizarre discoveries and eclectic characters in Louis Southard’s latest tale, THE BLACKOUT BOMBSHELL #1
Southard’s original fable centers on Private Investigator Jack Atlas’s attempt to find a missing woman with the help of his adulterous friend and lawyer, Casper Fitzpatrick. Cracking the case is easier than expected (at first), but finding out who hired Jack and staying alive is far from easy when you can’t remember what happened.
Southard’s take on the detective with a missing memory may tempt you to believe THE BLACKOUT BOMBSHELL #1 is a variation on Memento (2000), but it’s not. But for the missing memory of who hired him and why, Atlas’s memory problems are the least of his worries.
What’s great about THE BLACKOUT BOMBSHELL #1? The absolute highlight of Southard’s detective noir is the snappy banter between Jack Atlas and nearly everyone else. Every scene is a masterclass in layered dialog with personality that keeps you entertained from entrance to exit.
What’s not so great about THE BLACKOUT BOMBSHELL #1? Southard’s character work and the surprising twists and turns keep you on your toes, but the issue lacks seriousness in moments where you would expect it. For example, Atlas tracks down a witness and associate who turns up dead, but the death is treated as a flippant throwaway moment. That’s not to say Atlas should break down in tears, but developments with dangerously lethal consequences have no weight.
How’s the art? THE BLACKOUT BOMBSHELL #1 is our first exposure to Dean Kotz’s work, and it’s a perfect fit for this story. Kotz’s character designs feel lived-in and memorable, the scene transitions and layouts are excellent, and Buermeyer’s colors set a sultry mood for Atlas’s exploits.
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What’s THE BLACKOUT BOMBSHELL #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with private investigator Jack Atlas waking up in the back of a hired car as the driver weaves his way through the streets of Sterling City. Jack can’t remember how he got in the car after a night of blackout drinking, but he’s annoyed at his disorientation and gets out at the next stop. The driver hands Jack a case file that Jack doesn’t remember accepting.
Jack opens the file back in his office. His task is to find a missing woman with no leads and no idea where to start. Suddenly, Jack hears a knock at the door, and the woman in the case file enters Jack’s office. Grateful to have all his problems solved, Jack invites the woman, Audrey Calvet, in. Unfortunately, his solutions turn back into problems when Audrey pulls a gun and starts shooting.
We conclude the issues with a car in two driveways, a body in an alley, and armed hippies.
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Final Thoughts
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THE BLACKOUT BOMBSHELL #1 is an entertaining detective noir tale with snappy dialog, surprising twists, engaging characters, and fantastic art. Southard’s tale is anything but boring, but the heavier moments aren’t heavy enough to land a punch.
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