SCAM #1
Written by Joe Mulvey
Art by Joe Mulvey
Release Date: January 25, 2012

There is a certain level of excitement with any new #1 not set in a universe we already know. The mystery and intrigue seem that much stronger because we truly have no idea what will happen next with these new characters. Scam #1 by writer/artist Joe Mulvey lives up to that excitement and delivers 44 pages of entertainment in what could be one of the best series of 2012.

The first issue of Scam has a very Ocean’s Eleven meets Powers vibe to it, with the sleek style of a great Vegas heist mixed with the infinite possibilities of a world with super-powers other than we know it from Marvel and DC. There is a huge amount of intrigue here, Mulvey is just building his world, and I think he’s heading toward some very interesting things. The dialogue in the issue is sharp – we definitely know this crew has been together a long time, but we still don’t know everything that has gone down between them…not by a long shot.

On the art front, Mulvey’s pencils are crisp and clean. Some pages are a little weaker than others, but without a doubt there is skill in this art. This is not to say the art ever detracts from the issue, that is not the case. This is a well drawn issue with a style that suits the story well – the glitz and glam of Vegas are going to be well represented by Mulvey’s hand.

All in all, this is a solid first issue to what could be a great series in 2012. The story that has been set up will ultimately be defined by what occurs in subsequent issues, but this #1 is definitely entertaining.

Pros: Crisp art, clever dialogue, interesting plot, and double-sized!

Cons: Art isn’t as sharp in some places as others, but that said, Mulvey really gets into a zone toward the end of the issue.

Verdict: 8.0/10