Butterfly #1

Author: Arash Amel, Marguerite Bennett
Artists: Antonio Fuso
Release Date: September 24th, 2014
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Source: Boom! Studios press archive
Genre(s): Espionage, spy-fiction

Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review Spoilers: Low

Espionage, family drama, and guns, oh my! The latest from Boom! Studios, Butterfly #1, is a tale of a young girl trying to figure out the spy world. Set in the present, it follows the story of a girl named Rebecca who got in deep with the CIA. She began as an agent and went from there, eventually being tasked to a highly specialized project where she gave up everything of her past life, even her name. If anyone calls her anything, they call her Butterfly, which is where the comic gets its title.

Issue one is a good introductory issue. It didn’t necessarily blow my socks off, but I was definitely intrigued and plowed through all twenty-six pages in very little time. The story had a solid tempo that will keep readers pressing on to the next panel. The first half of the issue is told from Rebecca’s point of view and gives everyone a brief introduction into her life. First, we find out her father died out of country when she was young. Then, we get a better introduction to the day in the life of a spy. Unfortunately, the day doesn’t go well for her as a mission turns sour very quickly and Rebecca finds herself on the run.

Burned, similar to Michael Westen’s story in the USA original series Burn Notice, Rebecca is forced to throw on a new identity and seek out a new life. Her journey leads her into a situation she could have never anticipated.

The second half of the issue switches point of view in a way that’s a bit rough, but appropriate for the reveal. It is worth reading through it.

Thankfully, the art compliments the story line nicely. The artist chose a relatively simple, yet flowing art style that doesn’t take away from the story. Rather, the art really helps set the tone as it lends itself well to a life lead in secret. Much like the main character, the art isn’t flashy or demanding attention. Instead, it subtly titillates the senses while the reader follows the story.

In the end, Butterfly #1 gets three out of five stars. It is definitely worth reading and managed to keep me engaged with the material, but there were some rough bumps along the way that took away from the readability. I’ll certainly pick up the second issue though, especially after the big reveal in the second half of this issue. Though it lacked a bit in flow, Butterfly #1 made up for its faults in the over-all story line and tempo.