The Scumbag #3 // Review
Ernie Ray Clementine is a truly disgusting human being. Thanks to being in the wrong place at the right time, he’s now one of the most influential people in the world. He takes on a terrorist group with an alchemical bomb in The Scumbag #3. Writer Rick Remender’s journey with the most unlikely heroes continues. Artist Eric Powell and colorist Moreno Dinisio roll with the craziness in an adventure that moves briskly across the page, hampered. However, it may be by a one-track hero who doesn’t seem to be developing all that much.
Ernie Ray Clementine thought that he was being taken to a Scorpions concert. He was wrong. The Scorpions he was going to see are a terrorist group that’s planning on detonating a high-tech bomb that turns everything in its blast radius into solid gold. Now Ernie’s going to have to act altruistically to save the city. Altruism is not going to be easy for a guy who only acts out of self-interest. Thankfully he’s not alone. He’s got the resources of a powerful organization known as Central Authority. If they can keep him focussed for long enough, they just might be able to save the world again this month.
Ernie Ray seems to be entering his third issue with such reluctance that he’s dragging the narrative down with him. Remender’s central protagonist is only as good as the direction he’s given. There’s an appealing contrast between him and the sexy super-spy, but this issue doesn’t quite allow them enough time together to build as much appeal as it had in the second issue. The advanced tech that’s been fused into Ernie Ray’s body only works when he’s altruistic, which is likely to be kind of a cool way of gauging his character development throughout the series. Still, it’s beginning to get damned frustrating to sit through all of his distractions throughout an issue. At the current rate, it could take 100 issues or more before he realizes his full potential.
Powell has got a very sharp handle on the slouch and smirk of the title character. It’s nice to see his sliminess contrasted against the sleek bravery of the formidable super spy who is tasked with aiding him and guiding him along. Action glides along quite smoothly throughout the issue under the pen of Powell. Dinisio’s coloring lends compelling depth to the visuals. Not all of it works perfectly well, though. There’s a scene in which Ernie Ray is plummeting off the side of a building. All of the city feels so distant in the background that the peril of the fall feels distant and dreamy.
The hero's reluctance aside, Remender and Powell’s story DOES have a steady rhythm to it that feels appealing enough to guide it through the next several issues at least. The central conflict with the alchemical bomb IS appealing. It could have easily been expanded to fill the entire issue, but Remender and Powell spend 12 pages or so establishing Ernie Ray’s relationship with Central Authority for the fourth issue. It’s quite a lot of space to invest in the coming conflicts. Remender and Powell better make that next issue worth the investment.
