Hypnotically frightening, “Veil HC” is a wicked combination of a love story, crime drama, and horror. Who knew meeting a naked woman coming out of the subway would end going horribly wrong? With gripping storytelling and unflinching artwork, “Veil” is guaranteed to keep you hooked until the very last page.
WRITTEN BY: Greg Rucka
ART BY: Toni Fejzula
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: January 14, 2015
Reviewed by Jorge Solis
In the middle of the night, a naked woman walks out of the subway and into the big city. All eyes are gawking at the mysterious nude woman stopping traffic as she walks across the busy streets. A group of criminals are interested in gang-banging the nudist, who never stops speaking in riddles. Though he’s part of the gang, Dante knows something is wrong and decides to rescue her. Dante doesn’t realize he’s saving the life a of a succubus and she’s very hungry for flesh.
Writer Greg Rucka delivers a well-crafted thriller deep-seeded with themes about superiority complex and male dominance. In the war between genders, it’s about males seeking control over females through their mind, body, and soul. Dante breaks the mold when he suddenly meets Veil. The cops, demons, and gangs are all after Dante as he never lets go of Veil’s hand, protecting her from them.
I really liked how Rucka focuses on the relationship between Dante and Veil. Dante is attracted to Veil, even sexually drawn to her, but he doesn’t have a lot to offer. He comes from a poor neighborhood and his life is down in the pits. They are both lost in their own way, which is what keeps them connected.
Why did it have to be rats? Adding to my nightmares, artist Toni Fejzula starts off the page with a naked Veil covered in rats, from head to toe. That’s not how you want to wake up one morning at all. Fejuzla then adds graphic close-ups when two rats start clawing and biting at each other, before one them is run over by a vehicle.
Fejzula illustrates childlike expressions on Veil’s face, as if she’s always in awe of something. Throughout the narrative, Viel is trying to understand her own sexuality, even as she becomes a seductress. That childlike innocence is all gone when Fejzula depicts Veil in her monstrous form. From there, it’s a succubus in beast mode, with horns growing out of her head, as she tears a man’s chest apart.
An enjoyable read, “Veil” HC should not be missing. Now I’m going to see a therapist about my fear of rats, thanks Rucka and Fejzula.