COMIC BOOK REVIEW: The Fade Out #9

SECRET SHARED HISTORY

The Fade Out series is now embarking to its ultimate story arc by showing once and for all the key historical moments that started the so-called “beautiful” collaboration/friendship turned into uneasy and distrustful alliance in its ninth chapter - The Fade Out#9. This issue answers many loose strands in regards to two Hollywood screenwriters. Moreover, this one paves the way to the proverbial crossing the Rubicon moment that smoothly launches up to the (hopefully) epic finale three issues from now. This fluidity in storytelling demonstrates once again the mastery of the mastermind of noir and suspense, Ed Brubaker, as if he can craft these kinds of stories in his sleeps. This first part is essentially highly accessible read than most of the previous chapters since the histories of two main protagonists are neatly explored and explained that created and resulted to serious repercussions/consequences that were highlighted in the last two story arcs. As specifically mentioned by the suspense-thriller maestro himself in his column, he focuses more on characters rather than the overall plot. Thus, the only solution of being rewarded of comprehending the complexities and virtually mind-bending moments in enjoying The Fade Out series is to reread slowly without any sense of urgency or pressure on the previous issues and then, re-evaluate the ninth issue to make sense why this troubled and loose cannon potty-mouthed drunkard and movie scribe was so intense with his former but quiet sidekick then, including the hidden secrets about the studio’s patriarch as well. Simply put, Ed Brubaker’s writing illuminates here!

On the other hand, co-creator and artist Sean Phillips arguably draws some of his great works yet. Phillips illustrates fine facial portrayals of the characters involved, most especially the main protagonists’ respective love interests. In the hands of Ed’s frequent collaborator, the shadows of the eyes, the emotional delivery of the eyes and even the lips, and the body languages are very realistic and even so, consistently hold the already suspenseful ambiance and feel this mini-series is notoriously well-known with. Colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser’s black-and-white application regarding acting flashbacks are also appropriately colored in such a way to denote the spatial differences within the chapter’s intertwining storylines but ultimately reads as cohesively as possible. Moreover, the fight scenes are illustrated to virtual realism, well-choreographed and the primary color of red was appropriately applied that feels so real, you can feel the intensity of the punches exchanged. The surroundings of the 1930s and 1940s are drawn authentically as if the structures, its interiors, and the minor trivial stuffs that defined the said periods are so realistically illustrated; the series is truly meticulously researched and well-prepared up to the last details.

Lastly, an interesting historical article about one of the best though contradicting Hollywood screenwriters is highlighted in this issue. If one reads this engaging piece of historical footnote, one can assume who are some of the series inspirations. Yet, unlike previous chapters, there were neither explicit nudity nor over-the-top love scenes at all, excluding the wife’s decision to do so with her husband’s best friend, which was basically left out for the readers’ imagination. Though a bit surprised on this development, perhaps it was best to leave an issue without such graphic illustration and let the story carried the burden. Well played, Ed and Sean!

Thus, The Fade Out #9 begins the end of the great independent series. It exceeds expectations in both the writing and artistic executions, further enhancing the already intelligent and thought-provoking tale.