Book Review: Chase (DC Comics)

J.H. Williams III, et.al., Chase. New York: DC Comics, 2011.  ISBN: 9781401232771.

 

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre; DC Comics, detectives, government agents

Format: trade paperback

Source: Berea branch, Madison County (KY) Public Library 

 

This volume collects the 1990s series about Agent Cameron Chase. Chase, a private investigator, gets a job with the Department of Extranormal Operations, a federal agency that has jurisdiction over superhuman activities. Chase despises superhumans, but she also has powers of her own she starts to discover. The volume features appearances by various DC characters including Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, and others. 

 

I would say this series is a bit like The X-Files without a lot of the woo. It has a skeptical investigator, a secret agency with a lot of influence and resources, conspiracies, some mysteries, and even a mysterious agency director. If you like those kind of stories, you'll probably enjoy this volume. For me, this is a new discovery, and I enjoyed it greatly. The writers strive to create a strong and humane character in Cameron Chase. She is a common woman working to keep superhumans, heroes and villains, in check while trying to understand herself. 

 

Most of the stories are well written and entertaining. I would say the first 2/3 or so of the volume are the best part. The futuristic story from the Chase #1,000,000 issue felt more like filler, and the plot for it was not that good. Speaking of filler, you can tell when the writers had a slow week because that is when you get stories with flashbacks and remembrances; the plot at such times does not move much. Still most of the volume is a solid read. 

 

The volume's art is mainly by J.H. Williams III. This is good, solid 1990s art that combines realism, grit, and color. 

 

Overall, in a time when comics trip over themselves trying to be extremely dark, "edgy," and too serious, this is a pretty good and entertaining yarn that combines action, mystery, a bit of drama, and suspense relatively well. This is a series from a time when comics could still be fun. If you missed it back then, then consider picking it up now. I did enjoy it as it is something different than the usual superhero comics. 

 

I picked this up from my local public library, mostly out of curiosity, and it was worth it. This is one for libraries with graphic novel collections, especially if you already have the "usual" DC Comics fare like Batman, Superman, etc. 

 

I really liked this one. 

 

4 out of 5 stars.