cover image Simon Says, Vol. 1

Simon Says, Vol. 1

Andre R. Frattino and Jesse Lee. Image, $16.99 trade paper (120p) ISBN 978-1-5343-1319-4

Frattino (A Land Remembered) and Lee’s post-WWII-era series turns a survivor’s story into a vigilante showstopper. The allied powers have defeated the Nazi regime, but, for Simon, the fight doesn’t end with the war. A Jewish artist forced to paint train cars during the holocaust, he now works with the U.S. military to hunt down former Nazi officers. When the Nuremburg trials conclude and Simon is instructed to halt his crusade, he takes it upon himself—with the help of his companion Bruno, a German he knew in the war—to pursue the Nazis responsible for the murder of his wife. The film noir–like script lends flair to what might otherwise be a harrowing character perspective, mixing the pained but still snarky thoughts of Simon with James Bond–style plot twists. “It’s all part of the job. And it sure as hell beats the last one I had,” he quips to a lieutenant. The art also borrows from the film genre, with a monochromatic color scheme, save for bright red spot colors (blood, paint, lipstick), and shots of arch expressions and angled character poses. Simon is based on a real historical figure (with some liberties taken), and his quest for vengeance makes for a satisfying thriller. [em](Sept.) [/em]