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“Copra” #1

By | October 3rd, 2019
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While trying to be two things at once – the continuation of several volumes that precede it, and a jumping on point for new readers – “Copra” #1 falls short on its narrative, being compensated by creative and innovative art.

Cover by Michel Fiffe
Written & Illustrated by Michel Fiffe

COPRA returns in the first issue of its all-new ONGOING SERIES! Acclaimed comics auteur MICHEL FIFFE picks up where his band of mercenary misfits left off, reintroducing the entire cast of his Suicide Squad-esque revenge machine in a brutal standoff against their own leader. Jump right into the thick of it with the world’s greatest action team in this extra-length debut milestone!

There is a level of passion, of energy, found on “Copra” #1 that is admirable. This is a series performed by a one-man-show, with Michel Fiffe delivering all functions, plus the overall execution, production, and design. This commitment, this knowledge about the core product transpires on every page, from the voice of each of the sprawling cast, past references, and simply the joy of seeing this issue done.

That said, no everything is perfect on a more tactical evolution. On the back-pages of the issue (which offer very interesting insight on its development), Fiffe explains the struggle on introducing this new number one and volume as a starting point, while still resolving the sharp cliffhangers from past issues. This is precisely where “Copra” comes up short. But more on that later.

“Copra”‘s art style is certainly unique and dynamic. Channeling past masters like Walt Simonson and Steve Ditko, Fiffe’s charatcters are quirky, exaggerate, cartoony even. But set in a realistic world. This is usually a tough nut to crack, but one that Fiffe does admirably. That success lends to vibrant pages, dynamic, that seem to move like an animation, even though they are printed fixed on display. As outlandish as some of the designs are (and they truly become strange as the issue progresses), there is a sense of cohesion, of realism, that all of those designs exist in the same place and world.

There is one particular technique at display in “Copra” #1 that is seldom seen in mainstream comics: that of a one-by-two display of movement. They way it works is that, on the same panel, parts of a given character are drawn twice, like a hand pulling a gun and firing it, on the same panel. Anyone studying comic book scripting will know that you can only have one moment per panel, one snapshot of time, but here Fiffe subverts that law, adding a quasi-animation, not that dissimilar to a storyboard, to very interesting effects. He does not abuse it, so it never becomes detrimental to the story.

Back at plot and scripting. “Copra” #1 does a lot on its thirty-something pages. A lot. Readers are introduced (or become reacquainted) with a large set of characters, understand what their last adventures have been about, learn the new dangers that are after them, see they interact with current (and past versions) of themselves… it is quite a lot to get one’s teethes in. While admirable in a way, in an age where comics can be so decompressed, here it comes off as simply a flood of information. Upon second and third reading it becomes far more nuanced and detailed, and all the pieces start to fall into the place. But for the uninitiated, or those simply wanting a quick read, “Copra” #1 might not be best choice.

That said, when all the dust settles, one cannot help but to be engaged with these characters. Again, it speaks of Fiffe’s passion for his creation and project, that it spills into very truthful and specific voices for each pf the large cast. “Copra” #1 reads like a silver-age comic, combined with a modern aesthetic and freedom in terms of language and design. From word balloons having sharply different colors, to font sizes and the aforementioned animation-style panels, this is comic is on a class of its own.

Before wrapping it up, credit must go to the final production pieces on this issue, as it ends with a recap on every single issue up to this point, all characters, every main event. It makes this issue quite bulky – and for good reason – and even more worthy of your dollars as you purchase it. It would be extra special to know this content is available right form the start (it made this reviewer’s second reading much more pleasant), but it truly was a welcomed addition.

All in all, “Copra” #1 swings for the fences in terms of it’s creativity and energy, and even if it falls short on being truly accessible to new readers, it still makes the effort to reel them in. Go for it, but know it is a full-course meal.

Final Verdict: 7.5 – With an unique art style and imaginative narrative, readers should forget “Copra” struggle to be inherent accessible, understanding this is an issue that gets better as you revisit it.


Gustavo S Lodi

Gustavo comes all the way down from Brazil, reading and writing about comics for decades now. While Marvel and DC started the habit, he will read anything he can get his hands on! Big Nintendo enthusiast as well.

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