Review - Danger Girl: Renegade #1 (@IDWPublishing)


"There. I've found her."

Being an adventurer comes with all sorts of ups and downs. The ups are typically way up and are usually represented by finding a great treasure. The downs can be way down though, as the traveler is forced to contend with all manner of danger and obstacle. Danger doesn't necessarily bother someone like Abbey Chase, using danger as her claim to fame in Danger Girl: Renegade #1 from IDW Publishing. The issue is written by Andy Hartnell, illustrated by Stephen Molnar, colored by John Rauch and lettered by Neil Uyetake.

Abbey Chase is renowned across the globe as a brilliant young archeologist and (a bit less renowned) as a member of the super-secret spy organization known as Danger. But what set of circumstances lead Abbey to become who she is-who trained and shaped her into the remarkable person she is? Now, for the first time ever, Danger Girl readers will find out the answer to these questions and more.

If you've read Danger Girl before, you already have some idea of what to expect from the character and the universe. Hartnell certainly doesn't disappoint in Danger Girl: Renegade #1, presenting Abbey in various stages of her life, all of which help round her out as a character. In that regard, the issue is almost something of an origin story for Abbey Chase. What's interesting is that Hartnell takes her back to her more exploratory roots in the issue, as she's essentially maintaining her reputation as an Indiana Jones type who jetsets across the world in search of treasure. Generally speaking though, the issue is pretty straightforward as far as the plot goes.

Molnar capitalizes on a drawing style that's rife with thick, black outlines defining characters. These characters literally leap out from the page, which gives the reader more of a sense of the frenetic action jumping through the issue. There are a decent variety of settings throughout the issue, with Molnar depicting Abbey traversing bazaars, flats and the jungle, all of which helps to underscore her travels. There are also a few interesting panel layouts that help accent the action on the page; for instance, there's an arrangement of shattered panels that tie in to glass being broken. Rauch's colors complement the illustrations well, fleshing out those environments so they're more believable to the reader.

It's clear that Danger Girl: Renegade #1 is going in a more adventurous direction and less "Danger Girl." Sure, Abbey Chase is still a Danger Girl, but their escapades seem to be less of an emphasis in the first issue. Hartnell knows the character inside and out, but he does a good job of giving new readers something to latch onto in Danger Girl: Renegade #1. Molnar's illustrations are clean and effectively capture the action, bringing the reader along for the ride. Danger Girl: Renegade #1 is an exciting first issue that fans of the series will definitely want to check out.

Danger Girl: Renegade #1 is in stores now.

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