- Creators: Chelsea Cain and Lia Miternique
- Writer: Chelsea Cain
- Artist: Elise McCall
- Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
- Letterer: Joe Caramagna
- Cover Artist/Designer: Lia Miternique
- Supplemental Art: Lia Miternique and Stella Greenvoss
- Supplemental Lettering: Eliza Fantastic Mohan
Thanks to Dark Horse Comics for the review copy!
SPY ISLAND is one strange series (which isn’t bad thing). Set at a resort in the Bermuda Triangle populated with spies and carnivorous mermaids, the series has been a fascinating enigma. But with this issue, SPY ISLAND takes great leaps towards making some sense. Perhaps more importantly, this is the issue where we finally figure out what the deal is with the random mime that has been lurking around the periphery, because here is nothing more confusing in a spy story than a mime. As his backstory is filled in, tidbits from the prior issues gain relevance and the intricate plotting comes into focus.
While the story is starting to make sense, SPY ISLAND is still fabulously weird. The clothing and art style make it seem like it is set in the 70s, but there are plenty of modern references indicating it is set present day. As was the case in prior issues, there are supplementary ‘real world’ materials. While not as hilarious as prior installments, these materials provide some fun details about the world of Spy Island. This issue also uses some very creative page layouts, one of which uses a trippy kaleidoscope technique that probably wasn’t necessary but looks really cool.
This issue has some partial nudity, sexual references, and blood, so parental discretion is advised. I’ve enjoyed this series so far, and this is both the strongest issue yet and the one that pulls the plot into focus. With that said, this series is simply too out there to pick up without starting from the beginning.
SPY ISLAND #3 is now available.
Check back soon for my thoughts on issue 4 of this series.
Are you going to pick up this title? Have you already? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter.
