From the critically acclaimed team behind “Return of the Dapper Men,” “Lost Vegas” combines the glamorous vice of our own Sin City with a brilliant sci-fi mythology. This makes for a refreshing new series that stands out in the sea of creator owned books.
Written by Jim McCann
Illustrated by Janet LeeThe EISNER AWARD-WINNING team of Jim McCann & Janet Lee reunite to create a universe filled with intrigue as one gambler-turned-slave has 24 hours to go all in and pull off the greatest heist the universe has seen.
WELCOME TO LOST VEGAS!
Aboard this luxurious casino-filled traveling space-station you will find the highest stakes games from every corner of every planet, unheard-of winnings, and the greatest attractions anywhere!*
*the fine print- those who bet it all and lose must work it off as indentured servants to the casino. Escape is not possible. No one is exempt from these rules.
Those of you saddened by the cancellation of “Hellblazer” rejoice, for John Constantine is alive and well in “Lost Vegas.” While Roland, the title’s lead, isn’t as foul mouthed as the legendary Liverpudlian mage, he’s the same selfish bastard who always has an ace up his sleeve.
Roland’s story picks up five years after getting caught cheating at blackjack. He’s now a prisoner/slave aboard the Lost Vegas, a space station version of, well, Las Vegas. Roland and his fellow inmates work tirelessly to raise enough money to settle their gambling debts and earn their freedom, although the system has a way of making this hope nearly impossible. Not content to waste the rest of his life, Roland sets a plan into motion that will hopefully lead to his escape from Lost Vegas, forming the central crux of this issue and the series in general.
The world of Lost Vegas is more than just a veiled parody of Las Vegas and McCann does a fantastic job of fleshing it out in just one issue. When discussing the practice of masking all servants as humanoids, Roland drops bits and pieces about past events, hinting at the history that has led to world in which he lives. Whether or not things like “the orphans of Janus” or “the Post-God War” will be fleshed out remains to be seen, but this level of detail goes a long way toward crafting a multidimensional story.
Ink, a symbiote-esque blob with telepathic ablities, Rinny, a kind-hearted gadgetry whiz, and the mysterious Loria, make up the strange supporting cast tasked with assisting Roland in his escape. Although each of these characters is deemed worthy of Roland’s trust and plays an essential role in his plan, it’s obvious that he would betray any one of them if it furthered his agenda. Much of this issue focuses on Roland’s perception of these characters, but hopefully McCann will flesh out these distinct and wonderful creations in future issues.
Speaking of distinct and wondeful, Janet Lee’s art brings “Lost Vegas” to life visually.The casino is a multitiered paradise, all psychedelic colors, galactic statues, and crystalline structures. Lee’s pages ooze with style without forsaking substance. Even more impressive that the casino are the people within. The ice queen Kaylex, the exotic beast she rides upon, and the goo-like Ink are all fantastic examples of Lee’s imaginative designs.
Although there are dozens of space adventure comics on the stands, very few of them actually feel “alien.” Alien characters are often little more than palette swapped humanoids with horns or extra appendages, but the inhabitants of Lost Vegas buck this trend. In the opening sequence we are introduced to a lizard-like humanoid named Bisa. This bizarre character has a dopey grin glued on his face throughout the sequence, even as he’s clocking Roland from across the table. Bisa lacks the typical expression of emotion through facial features, which is oddly unsettling and appropriate. Lee juxtaposes facial expression with inner emotion with the perpetual smiles of the prisoners’ hologram concealing the miserable prisoners underneath. It’s an interesting theme that mirrors the real Las Vegas, wherein glint and glamor hides darker human truths.
McCann and Lee are off to a fantastic start, layering the universe of “Lost Vegas” with tons of mystery and intrigue. Strong pacing, engaging characters, and relatable themes make this an easily accessible book for all. The concept is a little derivative and the plot predictable, but the spectacle of it all makes up for these shortcomings. Although Roland is a cold, selfish character, it’s hard not to root for him throughout this fun caper. Just like in real games of chance, the odds rarely fall in your favor. Will Roland overcome the hand that he’s been dealt? Where will he stand when the chips have fallen? How many more poker puns does it take to get you excited for this book?
Final Verdict: 8.5 – Buy, “Lost Vegas” comes up aces.
