A Review: SPENCER & LOCKE #1

The Fellowship was fortunate enough to obtain a copy of SPENCER & LOCKE #1 from Action Lab Entertainment’s Danger Zone imprint. David Pepose writes, Jorge Santiago, Jr. draws, Jasen Smith colors, and Colin Bell letters.

Locke is a detective, the kind with a chip on his shoulder. His partner is not as easy to explain; let’s just say Locke had a rough childhood, and that’s where Spencer came from. A classmate and old friend is found murdered, forcing Locke to take a trip through the old neighborhood. Sophie was a schoolteacher who was beloved by all, but Locke finds a connection to a thug who bullied him as a kid. And to top it all off, it turns out that Sophie had a daughter.

The backbone of this book is an odd mix, equal parts nostalgic fun (you’ll get it once you see it) and gritty cop story. There’s also a sad undertone to the story, both in the victim’s story and in Locke’s, which is quite moving in its own way. And the art does a fabulous job feeding the nostalgia with subtle references, and with the action too.

This is a very cool police drama with a twist that you have to see to believe (no spoilers here). Go get it to see what I mean; it’s definitely worth a read.

SPENCER & LOCKE #1 is available now from your local comic shop, or online at actionlabcomics.com.

~Mike ( @MikeyGeek )