Comic Review: Border Town #3

Border Town #3

DC Vertigo

Writer: Eric M. Esquivel

Artist: Ramon Villalobos

Border Town started as a rather edgy political commentary on our current issues that we are facing with particular attention to immigration and immigrants. It was a fresh comic from DC Vertigo and something I was excited about. Issue #2 seemed to drop the social commentary in favor of moving the story forward. I am glad to say that Border Town #3 brings back the powder kegs and is looking to make waves, and I love it.

In this issue, we get to see the group of friends going through school which includes a great scene with Aimi and the vice principal, Mr. Egan, that shows her falling further into the abyss. Blake is noticeably absent from school, and we get flashes of him at home in a bathroom dealing with his changes that are taking shape. La Curandera, the old and wise woman, gets more time here and is familiar with the other world we know as Mictlan, which is a Land of the Dead. Aztec mythology is still on display here and feeds the entire plot. Upcoming issues should elaborate on Brujeria, which is the practice and group of people still left to fight off the evil that transports into this world from the darker realms. The cute Chupacabra is still around as the group’s pet and still as cuddly as ever.

Eric M. Esquivel is weaving a great story with what seems to be a personal edge to it. There are some moments in this issue where he seems to make a statement and more power to him if he is. Comics are a medium that has typically stayed neutral or even silent about political events, and there is no need for that. Write what you believe in, and it seems like Esquivel is doing just that.

I am impressed with Ramon Villalobos’ art in Border Town. He gets some great moments here, and none are more fantastic than Blake’s panels, especially the closing splash panel of the issue. His scenes have a cinematic feel, which is welcomed in a story like this one. The panels with the vice principal are the key scene where these skills are shown off.

Border Town is ripe for a TV adaptation. The story and the social commentary alone make it ready for television. Add in the Axtec lure and the high school protagonists, and it’s a hit in the right hands. Issue #3 elevates the series more, making it one of the best comics DC Vertigo has going. It is new and has a lot of story to tell, but it has been great so far. Highly recommend this to any and everybody. You will be able to tell if it isn’t for you immediately.