Comic Review: The Many Deaths of Laila Starr #3

BOOM! Studios

Writer: Ram V

Artists: Filipe Andrade & Ines Amaro

Letterer: AndWorld Design

The Many Deaths of Laila Starr has been an incredible breath of fresh air in comic books. The story written by Ram V and drawn by Filipe Andrade has explored humanity and death in a way that I’ve never seen before. All of the existential themes and the insightful look at India have made this a series that is guaranteed to be remembered. Now the series is going a step forward with a unique storytelling mechanism that is only possible in the comics medium.

The Many Deaths of Laila Starr takes place quite some time since Laila’s last death. She is sulking about without any purpose in her life. Suddenly she makes a chance encounter with Darius, taking in his young story full of heartbreak while sharing a cigarette. This issue is told from the perspective of that cigarette.

It’s a bold way to narrate, and Ram V fully embraces the persona of the cigarette. The Cigarette’s perspective is beautifully expressed throughout the issue, allowing for a new look on the lives of Laila and Darius. It’s an unbiased view of the two lives, and the cigarette’s ability to piece things together while still missing so much gives the story another unreliable narrator. It’s a compelling perspective that will sit with the reader long after finishing this issue. The Many Deaths of Laila Starr explores how fleeting life is, and the cigarette’s short but bright life perfectively embodies the themes of this series.

Filipe Andrade and Ines Amaro continue to astound. Many panels are seen through the lens of the cigarette, offering a new look at these characters. The fresh perspectives combined with the crowded parties and trippy colors throughout the panels make this a beautiful sight. The scenes and settings outside of the party almost feel completely different. The art style is still recognizable, but everything feels much more pure and bright. It’s a different kind of beauty that really completes the entire issue’s aesthetic. From beginning to end, this is one of the best-looking issues you will ever see.

The entire issue’s design is nothing short of genius. The thought and speech bubbles are instantly recognizable for the characters that they belong to. The cigarette’s bubbles are especially gorgeous, with a smoky feel that is paired up with some gorgeous letters by Andworld Design. Few comics nail every aspect of what makes a book superb in the way that The Many Deaths of Laila Starr #3 does.

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