Bullet Gal Review

At a glance, Andrez Bergen’s Bullet Gal is a typical pastiche to the Film Noir genre that peaked in popularity during the 1940’s and one that inevitably conjures up comparisons to Frank Miller’s Sin City. Scratch the surface however, this series goes way beyond a simple tribute, it is a complex and head spinning graphic novel both in terms of story and presentation.

As stated by Bergen in a short interview at the end of the book, Bullet Gal is a prequel to his 2013 graphic novel Who is Killing the Great Capes of Heropa? Set in the post-World War II founded city of Heropa which is in essence Gotham City and patrolled by a number of heroes and villains, the protagonist Mitzi arrives and formulates the Bullet Gal alter ego clashing with the cities scoundrels and gangsters. Supporting characters include the hero Lee who has eight identical copies of himself, and the protagonists, Brigit and Sol, who are reminiscent of the archetypal Film Noir femme-fatale and gangster characters who have a similar presence to Noir actors such as Lauren Bacall and James Cagney.

While the Film Noir genre is one I am unfamiliar with, Bergen’s love for it is evident and further praise must go to his blending of other genres that help make the story go beyond a simple formulaic tribute story; for example, it borrows tropes of gangster movies, action, Sci-fi as well as superhero comics. The story itself carries high suspense and complexities that while gripping, do leave the reader feeling frazzled. This feeling is furthered by Bergen’s and contributor’s cinematic but complex artwork design. It is the drawings that are similar to cinematic film shots, the attention to detail and the use of the full page space that make it striking and memorable. As a result they also require a few scans of the page to not only process the details but also to truly appreciate it. 

This blend of striking yet highly detailed artwork and complex storytelling is both where Bullet Gal succeeds and fails simultaneously. It’s a thought provoking graphic novel with the immediate reaction at the end that evokes the same feeling after seeing 2001: A Space Odyssey; you need as much time to think about it as well as seeing or reading it. I believe readers would lose the thread by waiting for the monthly issue, however it is also by no means one that can be read at one time. Although it could be a frustrating read, after finishing it and thinking about the story and remembering various elements of the design, I could finally appreciate the brilliance of it. 

Sometimes to achieve greatness, you have to the challenge the reader by making something so complex and unique that while some readers will throw in the towel, for those who stick with it, they can eventually appreciate an intriguing piece of storytelling, as is the case with Bullet Gal. Despite the frustrations that some readers may feel when reading this graphic novel, it is nevertheless upon completion a unique story and one that demonstrates Bergen as a subversive and individual storyteller.

8/10