Title: Fatale, Vol. 4: Pray for Rain
Author: Ed Brubaker
First published February 12, 2014
144 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781607068358 (ISBN10: 1607068354)
Rating: 4.07
Overview
The fourth volume of Fatale, “Pray for Rain” by Ed Brubaker, is a thrilling and bizarre ride through a world of sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. In the mid-’90s Seattle, a mysterious woman with no recollection of her past stumbles into the lives of a struggling grunge band.
Is she the key to their success? Or is she a harbinger of something much more sinister?
As a psychotic killer pursues her, the band finds themselves caught in a dangerous web of intrigue and mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With its gripping storytelling and unforgettable characters, Fatale Vol.
4: Pray for Rain is a must-read for fans of dark and twisted thrillers. Collecting issues 15-19, this volume is sure to leave readers wanting more.
About the Author
Meet Ed Brubaker, an American cartoonist and writer who was born on November 17, 1966, at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. His exceptional talent in comic book writing has earned him the prestigious Eisner Award.
Brubaker has penned some of the most popular titles in the comic book industry, including Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central, and Uncanny X-Men. However, his focus shifted to creating his own works for Image Comics such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet, and Kill or Be Killed in recent years.
In 2016, Brubaker took a leap into television and joined the writing team for the HBO series, Westworld.
Editoral Review
Fatale, Vol. 4: Pray for Rain by Ed Brubaker is a thrilling addition to the noir genre, with a fresh take on the classic femme fatale archetype.
Brubaker is a prolific comic book writer, with extensive experience in crime and mystery genres. He has received accolades for his work on graphic novels such as Criminal, Scene of the Crime, and The Fade Out.
In Fatale, Vol. 4, he takes readers on a dark and dangerous journey through the corrupt underbelly of Los Angeles.
Set in the 1970s, Fatale, Vol. 4 tells the story of Josephine, a mysterious and seductive woman who has the power to control men with her beauty and charm.
She is pursued by a group of ruthless gangsters who view her as a valuable asset to their criminal empire. The narrative is structured in a non-linear fashion, weaving together past and present events to create a complex web of intrigue and deception.
At the heart of the story is the relationship between Josephine and Nicolas Lash, a struggling writer and former journalist who becomes entangled in her dangerous world. Lash is a flawed and relatable protagonist, who is driven by his desire for the truth and his love for Josephine.
Their dynamic is fascinating to watch, as they navigate their way through a series of violent and unpredictable situations. Brubaker’s writing is masterful, as he effortlessly blends elements of horror, detective fiction, and supernatural fantasy.
He creates a vivid and immersive world, populated by morally ambiguous characters who are both sympathetic and terrifying. The artwork by Sean Phillips is equally impressive, capturing the gritty and claustrophobic atmosphere of the Los Angeles underworld.
One of the strengths of Fatale, Vol. 4 is its exploration of themes such as power, addiction, and identity.
The characterisation is nuanced and complex, with each player grappling with their own demons and desires. The pacing is excellent, with each chapter building towards an explosive climax.
There are plenty of twists and surprises, but they never feel contrived or predictable. One potential weakness of the book is that it may not be accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with the Fatale series.
The non-linear narrative and numerous characters may prove confusing to new readers. The subject matter is also quite dark, with scenes of graphic violence and sexual content.
Overall, Fatale, Vol. 4: Pray for Rain is a stunning work of graphic fiction that will appeal to fans of the noir genre.
It is a rich and multi-layered story that rewards close reading and analysis. Brubaker and Phillips have created a masterpiece that will stand the test of time.
Highly recommended. Rating: 9/10
