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Writer & Artist: Kazu Kibuishi
Cover Art: Kazu Kibuishi
Publisher: Viper Comics

Review: This is a true genre bender, in the best sense of the word, and as such it’s difficult to describe it correctly. It did remind me of Cowboy Bebop, in that when you describe its separate elements, it sounds a bit tepid, and odd, but when you actually see it for yourself, you realize it’s more than the sum of its parts. Certainly I felt lukewarm about this series when I first heard about it, but it turned out to be one of the best thing Viper has ever done. (I also avoided Cowboy Bebop as just another anime series too, then I saw it one night, and was instantly hooked. So that goes to show you how knee jerk reactions aren’t always the correct ones. Well, at least on my part at any rate.)

First off, Daisy is a very sympathetic character, although basically an anti-hero; to paraphrase our own Matt DeWoskin,“ a good person who sometimes does bad things“ . Although a “retired” gunslinger, it’s clear right away that she isn’t really all that happy with her “new” life; she’s restless and edgy, and her ex-boyfriend/partner, Tom, sold out in a big way by becoming Sheriff of the town they reside in. He wants her to join him in the marshalling, but she refuses, even though it’s clear there’s still mutually unresolved feelings between them. (Although it seems like Daisy is the one who wants to keep her distance; Tom lets it be known he’d like her back, in no uncertain terms.) After a risky bet doesn’t pay off and she loses her store to mysterious, wealthy Mr. Winters, he offers her a deal: her store back, and money on top of it, if she agrees to rob a train with two of his associates, Morris and Bloom - one of which is a robot, a bit of a problem as she’s not crazy about working with machines. Still, she’s desperate, and the job looks dead easy, especially for her. But of course something goes wrong, as it seems like Winters actually had other plans for her that he didn’t bother to disclose to anyone, and he has no intention of letting anyone make it out alive.

Although the story does start off at a somewhat slow pace, with an odd aside on how to play Texas Hold ‘Em, the story soon ratchets up the action, with the last “chapters” being almost solely devoted to action. But even with all this action - including the truly spectacular train sequence - there’s a surprising amount of character development, especially in the relationship between Daisy and Tom. She clearly has some affection for him, but what’s also clear - without a lot of mush or treacle - is how much Tom still loves Daisy. He loves her enough to look the other way in her sometimes shady dealings, to be concerned about her welfare, to risk his career and his life to try and help her, even when she steps over the line. Romance is just another genre melded into this series, but so deftly and delicately that you don’t even realize it at first. This manages to be fun, thrilling, dark, and sweet in a way that many comics strive to be, but simply can’t reach. Kibushi has quietly crafted a small masterpiece, a truly original comic with a style and a “voice” all its own.

Certainly his art, full of clear, clear lines, is a major factor in this. At times it has a bit of a cartoonish, manga look, but that works in the context of this series, and it helps make the action sequences very kinetic and slick. His art style also makes the robots seem like a perfect fit in the dusty desert world of Daisy Kutter, even when in contrast to the rustic, retro wooden buildings that make up most of the towns. He also has a tendency to select very cinematic panels, so the sequences move very quickly; sometimes it’s more like a portable film in print form than a graphic novel.

This trade is also manga sized, which means smaller in height, but more portable, and satisfyingly thick and weighty, especially for the price. It also has a small but nice collection of extras, from concept sketches to a pin up gallery by a wide variety of artists.

If you like well written, artful, thoughtful comics that aren‘t just concerned with superheroes or set in rigid genres, you owe it to yourself to check out Daisy Kutter: The Last Train. And I certainly hope that the number one on the spine indicates that there’s more Daisy to come, because I for one would love to see that.

¶ 1:14 PM