Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: R.M. Guéra
Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo
After many years absent, Dashiell Bad Horse returns to the South Dakotan Reserve of his childhood. His reentry is anything but quiet, and he lands himself a one on one with the familiar Red Crow, President of the Ogala Tribal Council. Bad Horse accepts a job offer from the corrupt leader as a member of his personal police squad. In Aaron’s sophomore issue we follow Bad Horse and his first few outings as a member of the Tribal Police Force. It is revealed that Bad Horse is actually an undercover FBI agent, looking to take out some of the area’s top trash.
Scalped is still very new but to be brief, I like it. I like it a lot. We’ve all read and heard stories about Native Americans, stories which explore groups of people who still value and practice their deep-rooted culture. Put frankly, you can forget about all of that because it won’t be found here. What is presented instead is a story which looks at the problems of organized crime and the amount of power these groups have over others. Through Aaron’s finely crafted story and Guéra’s well matched gritty illustrations, a dark, grimy and seemingly lost world is painted before our eyes.
One of the best things about the comic is the chemistry between Jason Aaron and R.M. Guéra. These two are a perfect team, and this really makes it go the extra mile. The artwork is very successful in portraying the story's dark and vivid images, and it is very easy for readers to find themselves completely trapped in the comic. Although not of Native American descent, Jason Aaron has quite obviously done his research. Highly controversial and moral issues such as the operation of casinos and creation of methamphetamine laboratories are just a few of the matters he explores. Aaron unfolds a world which displays a very dark side of Reservation life and although fictitious, it displays a number of ongoing problems.
I do have one issue with Scalped: it seems to play off a common stereotype that Native Americans are drunk, corrupt and uncontrollable people with very little potential. Most of the characters who have been introduced in this story have adhered to these stereotypes and it leaves me wondering if this is a message that should be sent out to readers. Or is it maybe that Aaron is simply trying to reveal many of the problems and social issues which have been left out of the spotlight?
With only two issues in hand, I’m hooked and I’m sure many of you out there are as well. This is easily one of the best titles I have come across in a long time. For those out there who are interested in this but haven’t jumped on, do so and do so now, it’s still early, and there’s plenty of time to catch up on this hell-bent journey.
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