In addition to being a talented artist with a strikingly raw and detailed style, Lee Bermejo has also developed a reputation as a capable writer in recent years. Suiciders: Kings of HELL.A. allows Bermejo to return to the earthquake-ravaged, post-apocalyptic landscape of the original Suiciders and further flesh out the world and its inhabitants. This first issue offers a clean gateway into the Suiciders universe, with a tale of restless young skater punks and gang warfare that won't fail to impress.
The most obvious change with Kings of HELL.A. is that Bermejo has mostly stepped away from the artist's easel. He still renders the cover and the opening prologue sequence, but the bulk of this issue is drawn by Alessandro Vitti. And while that may sound like a drawback, Vitti's aesthetic is a great fit for this dilapidated, decaying world. Vitti's work is some of the strongest he's delivered in years. His characters ooze detail and are covered in rugged lines. The environment is treated with as much care and respect as the characters themselves, which is only fair considering how much the hellish setting defines this franchise. The Suiciders franchise may actually be better off thanks to the Bermejo/Vitti collaboration.
This new series revolves mainly around brother/sister duo Johnny and Trix, the former being a hotheaded, confrontation-prone gang leader and the latter a talented skater bristling under her brother's overprotective watch. This issue is very efficient in introducing both characters, their relationship and the desires they have in a city ruled by chaos and disorder. This isn't a slow first issue by any means, but one that races right into a violent conflict as two rival gangs clash head-on.
The worst that can be said about Kings of HELL.A. #1 is that it's over a little too soon. perhaps because of the opening flashback to the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, the main story breezes right by and cuts out just as things are getting really interesting. The pacing might be a little iffy, but it's rarely a bad thing when a comic leaves you wanting more.
The Verdict
The original Suiciders was a solid addition to Vertigo's lineup last year, and the sequel is shaping up to be even better. The addition of Vitti to the mix has only boosted the book's visual appeal. This first issue is quick to establish its cast and conflict and move forward without hesitation.
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