David Lapham explores the complex emotions dredged up by grief in this issue of “Stray Bullets: Killers.” Following the story of teenaged couple, Virginia and Eli, Lapham creates an accessible, multidimensional examination of the way in which we deal with loss. Vivid clarity, believable dialogue and considerate storytelling make this book function as a standalone story.
Written & Illustrated by David Lapham
In “99 Percent” Virigina and Eli vacation, and meet Boogerman!
There is an instantly relatable quality to the story of Virginia and Eli in “Stray Bullets: Killers” #6. After introducing the couple, Lapham dives right into their intensely tortured emotional states and complicated living situation. Lapham’s exposition is organic, seamlessly providing context to the very convincing verbal exchanges throughout this story. We learn that Virginia is grappling with feelings of guilt after her Uncle Jack’s suicide. Similarly she blames herself for the death of his son, Michael, which occurred years earlier. Her feelings of guilt are the guiding force in this issue. Secondary to Virginia’s guilt are Eli’s feelings of alienation and isolation. He seeks refuge in his romance with Virginia. Searching for stability in the tumultuous situation, he clings to her, even as she becomes increasingly irrational throughout the issue. Lapham is able to integrate the emotional themes with the narrative beats of this story in a way that makes the writing seem effortless and natural.
Virginia’s need to implicate Paul, Eli’s art teacher, in the death of her cousin is indicative of her continuing and escalating feelings of guilt. Eli and Virginia live together with her Aunt Jane who is Jack’s widow and Michael’s mother. Her close proximity to someone so directly affected by the deaths, for which she blames herself, forces Virginia to continually confront the negative feelings she has been harboring for years. All of the fictional circumstances converge to create the perfect environment in which to study the effects of grief, guilt and blame.
Though the psychological drama is the primary focus of this story, the external conflict between Virginia and Paul is an echo of the internal struggle that she is experiencing as she tries to accept her role in the death of both her uncle and her cousin. The conflict with Paul is well-crafted and this interaction works at several levels. Firstly, there is an eeriness about the character and his home that builds tension from its introduction forward. In addition to building tension, Paul’s presence in the story gives Eli a personal stake in Virginia’s inability to process her grief. As she looks for a way to shift the blame she believes she deserves onto Paul, Eli is greatly affected by their dispute and subsequent dislike for one another. With two of the people who are most important to him at odds with one another, Eli’s fragile sense of security is compromised. Eli clings to Paul as one of the few supportive authority figures in his life. Even in the face of Virginia’s distrust of him, Eli wants to hold on to his positive view of Paul. Virginia and Paul’s conflict causes Eli to question both of them. The couple’s disagreement and eventual reconciliation leads to an interesting comment on the importance of support in a relationship, another major theme in “Stray Bullets: Killers” #6.
It feels good to let yourself get tangled up with these characters; they are all hearty, well developed and a little mysterious. Each person on the page brings a sense of history and context with them into the story. Every character has his or her own demons, hopes, dreams and ghosts to deal with. The attention to the unique qualities and circumstances of each individual anchors this story in a space that seems completely realistic. As promised, this issue can be read on its own, without the background provided by the rest of the series. Lapham’s natural exposition incorporates all the context that a reader might need.
The clarity of this book is impeccable. This is true of the crisp, clean dialogue, as well as its incredibly readable visual elements. The black and white illustrations carry the subtle story with ease. There is an honesty in Lapham’s art; no tricks or gimmicks, just pure drawing. He shows a meticulous attention to detail. Capturing small facets of reality, like the way ice looks through glass, or an upside down label on an overturned box; the consistency of his detail creates a very convincing setting. Each panel carries so much information, it demands to be seen as realism despite the fact that these are obviously illustrations. The cleanliness of these drawings, as well as their the stylized elements, have a certain vintage feeling that is reminiscent of midcentury advertisements. The line work in this book has a purity that makes these illustrations seem to have a kind of integrity. Lepham’s architectural renderings are immaculately composed, making the world of this story seem as believable as its characters.
Continued belowLapham’s characters are expressive showing varied and nuanced emotion throughout this issue. They also have a dynamic physicality in their gestures and postures that reinforces the simulated reality of their setting. The figures in “Stray Bullets: Killers,” interact realistically with their environments as well as with one another. They are weighty and accurately proportioned, and each of them move with a realism that lends another dimension of credibility to this narrative. Every aspect of the illustration helps solidify the familiarity and believability of this world and the people who inhabit it.
Thoughtful storytelling, well-developed environments, multifaceted characters, and complex internal drama make this story come together in a very effective way. Slice of life moments married with a Hitchcock-style approach to psychological drama create a very unique reading experience, that is an intimate as it is suspenseful.
Final Verdict: 8.2 – This stray has its charms and would probably make a very good pet in the long term.
