After the previous issue’s intense chapter, “Copperhead” # 9 maintains the exciting narrative progression and switches protagonists from Boo to Clara. The comic begins with a prologue set on another planet. This structural technique was used in previous issues as a way to introduce Clay, establish his complicated history with Clara and set up the conflict between them. This time, the setting is the planetary headquarters of the law enforcement organisation that sent Clara to Copperhead. Here, Liutenant Ford, not seen since the conclusion of the first story arc, receives news of Clay’s escape. Being familiar with the convict’s history with Clara, he immediately makes preparations to leave for Jasper where things are bound to get messy.
Written by Jay FaerberCover by Scott Godlewski
Illustrated by Scott Godlewski
Colored by Ron Riley
Lettered by Thomas MauerWhat do you do when there are outlaws to round up and you’ve got no backup? You assemble a posse.
Meanwhile, Clara has rounded up a posse and is in hot pursuit of the bandits that kidnapped Boo. The page depicting them riding across the desert was a fantastic showcase of a disparate group of characters brought together for a single purpose. The top of the page is dominated by the kind of sunrise shot used effectively in the previous issue. The panel below that is a fine wide shot of our heroes galloping through the desert. The creators then use the next few panels as a clever exposition device to get the reader up to speed on what went down with Clara and her helpers as Boo was held in captivity. We learn that some characters like Ishmael and Cletus are with her out of a genuine desire to help while the 2 Arties are there at Hickory’s insistence. The final panel on the page hints at mistrust between Ishmael and his fellow Arties thus promising a fun chapter full of conflict and thrills.
As the characters make their way through the harsh desert landscape, artist Scott Godlweski enhances the dialogue between the characters by providing the reader with a feast for the eyes. Using between four to five panels per page, he uses a variety of shot types — close ups when necessary and wide shots that make the riding sequences visually dynamic. His linework is also quite exquisite. In the last issue he utilized cross hatching to great effect and expands upon the technique in this issue. The boulders and assorted rock formations are made to look way grittier. Additionally, the deep shadows brought on by the glaring sun are well rendered by the inking. The coloring further enhances the artwork. The dominant color scheme is yellow and this adequately conveys the sense of heat and intense light.
While the visuals in “Copperhead” keep getting better and better, the writing also takes things to another level. This particular issue provided greater insight into the supporting cast. We got a sense of the hostility the Arties felt towards Ishmael because of his refusal to conform to his programming. Additionally, Cletus, a character who initially appears meek and useless is revealed to be a valuable member of the group upon arrival at their destination. The most moving moment in the comic was reserved for a seemingly throwaway character who, in a moment of self-sacrifice, saved the life of a member of Clara’s posse.
Writer Jay Faerber also experimented with structure and Point Of View in interesting ways. The first half of the comic effectively conveys what Clara and her friends were doing before Boo made his ill-fated escape attempt last issue. The two storylines are linked when we discover who was responsible for the sniper attack on the outlaws in “Copperhead” #8. The revelation that it was one of the Arties is followed by the aftermath of the stampede created by Zeke and his minions. The fatal outcome of this sequence sets the stage for the impending showdown at The Bastion.
The cliffhanger ending saw the return of a character last seen at the conclusion of “Copperhead” #5. This individual bears a grudge against Clara and threatens to complicate the group’s rescue attempt. Will he succeed? We look forward to the next instalment to discover the fate of our beloved characters.
