In Velvet #4, the eponymous spy tracks down another lead as she retraces the fallen X-14's last footsteps, and what she finds along the way brings the mystery a little too close to home. Writer Ed Brubaker and artist Steve Epting have put forth another solid issue that explores the world of Cold War spy craft with a deft hand, but as they scatter even more chess pieces across the board, it's getting harder and harder to keep this story straight. Keeping the reader off balance is a risk, but it mostly pays off here.
Right off the bat, one of Velvet's strongest elements is its art. Epting and colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser have created a world that is cinematic in its energy, with an atmosphere that perfectly is inextricably intertwined with the tone of the book. There's a sly, subtle period feel to the story that works to the advantage of its positioning in history. Velvet, like the lady from which it takes its name, is equal parts sexy and sophisticated.
The book's plot quite isn't the home run previous issues have been. Yet again, Velvet is following a lead that will hopefully shed some light on her situation, but the formula is starting to feel a bit repetitive. Velvet adopts a disguise, beats some people up, and gets a slim scrap of information that will guide her next step. At the end of this issue, the personal nature of that information (I won't spoil it for you here) brings the mystery full circle for Velvet, but the emotional payout of the revelation isn't quite there. Yet.
Melissa Grey wears Green Lantern pajamas to bed and writes stories for a living. She can be found on MyIGN at MelissaGrey or lurking on Twitter @meligrey.
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