Bullet Gal #2
Words and Pictures by Andrez Bergen
if? Commix
Release Date: September 1, 2014
Cover Price: $5.00 (Print) $1.00 (Digital)

Female protagonists aren’t as uncommon as they once were but few of them are as determined as Mitzi in Bullet Gal #2. She embodies the ideal of a femme fatale on every level, bringing her more attention than she might otherwise have warranted. Standing at a crossroads in her life, can she accept the new opportunities coming her way or is she doomed to failure. Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies…

Our story is about assassinations. Okay, that’s not really true but it is about someone who is exceptionally good at killing. Bullet Gal, also known as Mitzi, has only recently come to town and she’s hellbent on cleaning it up. Killing gangsters and lowlifes has brought her some notoriety and attention, not all of it good. Rumors abound that a woman is slaying miscreants and the local bully boys are embarrassed and more than a little angry. At the same time, her actions have prompted a group named The Crime Crusaders Crew to approach her regarding membership.

Her impatience and lack of experience, however, are two huge hurdles she must overcome to ever be part of a team. Even after a month of training, Bullet Gal is still as reckless as ever, leaving her mentor Lee feeling just as frustrated as she is. Will she ever be a part of the group or is she destined to be a loner? Only time will tell, I suppose, But while her future is in question with the heroes, the villains have decided on a course of action that involves erasing Mitzi as a problem from all of their lives. Of course, it’s at this point that the issue concludes, leaving us wanting more.

Writer, artist, musician, and all-around gifted creator Andrez Bergen is back with a great noir comic here. This being the second issue, you would expect to have to try to catch up but this is handled without a glitch in this comic. First, you have a great introduction of the character from her point of view. But even better is the addition of the first comic at the back of the current one. That’s two comics for the price of one! And not just any comics, but exceptional ones. This series is quite story focused, slowly building the plot as time goes on…not revealing anything until the time is right. The images are dark, forcing the reader to use their imagination to fill in the gaps. Combining photographs, artwork, and computer altered pictures to produce a realistic representation of the cityscape and characters, Bergen has outdone himself with this one. I’ve been a fan for a while but every time I think I have his style pegged, he does something outside the box to amaze and astound me.

I know you’ll love this comic, it’s a literal work of art. It surprises me that he is able to produce this much work but asks for so little in return. A mere dollar for the digital copy and it can be yours to enjoy. I hope you find yourself intrigued. It’s not just for noir fans, though. The referencing of superheroes lets me know that far more is on the horizon. Don’t be left out in the cold, order this while you can. One read and you’ll be hooked.