In crime fiction, debt and gambling go as closely together as guns and femme fatales. That’s why I became interested in “Loose Ends.” This is a new series from Titan Comics, and the first issue will be released on February 19th. This is the story of an ordinary man who is addicted to gambling but doesn’t have a violent bone in his body. For screenwriter Stephen Hollis, this is a big problem. He has to make a hit for the mob or die. It’s a tough deal that unfolds nicely in the first issue.
Loose Ends #1 begins with a frantic car chase in which Stephen drives with his friend bleeding in the backseat. The caption shows that even Stephen doesn’t know how he ended up in this situation, and we quickly learn that we’ll get a piece of the story before going back for a few days. This is a good opening, first showing the intense action and stakes, then jumping back two days to show Steve tied up, then jumping back three days to show everything is calm.
The fast pace of this issue is constant, even though we spend a fair amount of time catching up on how Steven ended up in such a dangerous situation. It doesn’t read like fat, thanks to screenwriter Dave Dwonch’s well-written lines.
He is in quite a predicament.
Credit: Titan Comics
The general premise isn’t entirely new, but there aren’t any holes in it either. For example, why would a gang with a hired gun pick Stephen to kill him? Given his connections to Hollywood, this makes logical sense. Stephen is also a bit of a loser and is unable to obtain a license as drinking and gambling are the main reasons why he was chosen as a hit.
Travis Hymel’s art is dynamic and incorporates a lot of clever visual ideas that feel fresh and new. The nine-panel grid page depicting Stephen’s gambling captures the essence of his very bad night. And the prominent page depicting Stephen’s eyes covered by a blindfold are just two examples. The art has a slightly cartoonish look to it, but it’s not distracting or detracts from the realism of the story.
By the end of this issue, you’ll want to read more, even if the premise is familiar and the setup may be too much for a story like this. Could we have jumped into the mission before the cliffhanger? Perhaps, and it would have piqued our interest even more, but as it stands, the character work keeps us invested in Steven’s very bad day. Good enough to feel like you did.
The Loose End #1 provides an entertaining and well-crafted introduction to a classic crime premise. It combines a fast-paced story, logical character motivations, and dynamic visuals. Although it relies heavily on setting and familiar tropes, the creative team’s direction leaves readers interested in Stephen’s high-stakes predicament and wanting to read more.
“Loose Ends” #1 Review
Loose end #1
The Loose End #1 provides an entertaining and well-crafted introduction to a classic crime premise. It combines a fast-paced story, logical character motivations, and dynamic visuals. Although it relies heavily on setting and familiar tropes, the creative team’s direction leaves readers interested in Stephen’s high-stakes predicament and wanting to read more.
Intense car chases and layered timelines quickly draw readers into the story.
This issue maintains a fast pace while providing the necessary exposition.
Steven’s backstory and circumstances make sense and avoid plot holes.
The story follows well-worn crime novel tropes, and some may find it predictable.
Focusing on backstory and context can delay key actions and slow engagement.
