Karmen #3 // Review
It isn’t easy trying to survive in the modern world. It’s not terribly easy being dead either, as Cata has been finding out. She thought that she was taking control of things by taking her own life. Now she finds herself in a strange world of near-life in the third issue of writer/artist Guillem March’s five-issue series Karmen. The world of Cata and her read-headed angel guide continues to develop as the full reality of death begins to settle in once and for all. No: Cata won’t be returning to life. And no: even death isn’t exactly permanent.
Karmen had just fallen from a great height. Hitting the pavement is a very, very unpleasant experience for her, but it didn’t involve physical pain because she’s already dead. The emotional trauma and the memory of her body in a bloody bathtub shocks her into the moment. She’s got a lot to learn, and she’s going to learn it in time. She’s going to make friends with someone and find out that he’s actually a really nice guy once he’s started actually talking to her. Invariably there’s going to be death involved. Invariably it’s going to involve tragedy.
March’s characterization of Cata develops considerably in this chapter. Thankfully, finding out more about Cata means that she’s becoming more endearing. She might have been impulsive and selfish prior to the first panel of the series, but she’s really opening up to a guy in what is far and away the sweetest scene in the whole series so far. March’s ability to manipulate emotions is impressive. A character who is only just introduced eleven pages into the issue causes a visceral emotional impact on Page 15. The next few pages are positively heartbreaking. It’s maddeningly difficult to create a character this emotionally engaging. March does it in five pages while making his main character feel irresistibly charming. This is really, really good storytelling.
March’s distinct blend of detail, perspective, and emotionally engaging visuals add considerably to the storytelling. The fisheye effect employed continues to have a striking vid impact on the page. The cascade of images in the presence of tragedy brilliantly captures an entire relationship in two pages without seeming overly sentimental or generic. An array of different emotions plays out on the fabulously be-freckled face of the title angel as a powerful moment strikes her at the end of the installment. It’s a very engaging visual world.
There are only two issues left to go in the series. The story is wrapping up, and Cata...well...she’s really turning out to be a joy to hang out with on the comics page. Too bad she’s dead and on her way to reincarnation. There’s little question that March designed this to be the way that the story would play out. Initially, the title angle is the most fascinating part of the series...and then her assignment turns out to be really, really cool just as it becomes apparent that there’s no turning back...she’s definitely going to be dead in two issues or less.
