“Sicko #1” Review – A Sickeningly Great Time!

The Run Down

If ever there was a book that yelled “don’t assume what I am from my cover,” it would be Tini Howard’s “Sicko”. Now, from the title and cover, one might think this is solely a horror comic. Well, it’s horror, but it’s like if the genre wanted to be “Doom Patrol” in the “iZombie” universe.

The story follows Valentine Virago, a woman with nothing to lose as she’s stuck with an undiagnosable illness that she learns to weaponize like a superpower. All the while, a strange healthcare agency is working to track her down. If that sounds like your vibe, then follow me for this strange adventure as I review “Sicko #1”!

Writer: Tini Howard
Artist: Amilcar Pinna
Colorist: Amanda Grazini
Letters: Ariana Maher

The Writing

As they always say, first impressions are important, and boy did this leave a fantastic one right out of the gate! The very first words alone had me hooked and excited due to how ominous they felt. Those opening words also work to set the stage for what the story’s about: the human body and it being different for everyone

Speaking of the human body, that leads me to our main character, Valentine Virago. As I stated previously, she’s stuck with an illness that’s seemingly impossible to diagnose, as not even the top doctors can figure it out. I’ve got to say, she’s probably one of the most interestingly written main characters I’ve seen in a long time! I’m always a sucker for smug and sarcastic characters with a heart of gold, and Valentine’s no different. With nothing left to lose, she’s a carefree badass to boot, though I’ll let you read for yourself about what I mean.

Valentine also has a few aspects I can relate to, namely being an only child. Howard brilliantly brings this through in a great line of dialogue that felt beyond real.

The Art

Matching the fantastic writing are the art and colors of Amilcar Pinna and Amanda Grazini. The character designs are without a doubt some of the most unique I’ve seen in a while. Each design stands out beautifully, not a single one looking like another. This is due largely to the expert-level shading and line work, giving this book a very distinct look and feel.

The artwork is coupled beautifully with the colors of Grazini. The color work here was absolutely insane! This book had such a range of color that I totally wasn’t expecting, and it blends perfectly with Pinna’s art. There’s one moment in particular that really stands out to me. I won’t spoil what it is, but it reminded me so much of the classic Kirby crackle. I guarantee you’ll love it when you see it too.

Final Thoughts

If this first issue is an indicator of things to come, then you can rest assured “Sicko” will knock your socks off! This first issue is an absolutely incredible promise with fantastic character work and design. If this isn’t already on your radar, it should be.

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Overall Grade: 10/10

Comments

Are you looking forward to checking out “Sicko”? Are you a fan of Tini Howard’s previous work? Let’s discuss in the comments below!