Scrapper
Publisher: Image Comics
Story: Cliff Bleszinski and Alex De Campi
Art: Sandy Jarrell, Jodie Bellaire, Ryan Kelly
From the creative minds of Cliff Bleszinski and Alex De Campi, Image Comics’ Scrapper offers an engaging diversion for both young adult audiences and parents. Set in a gritty, dystopian world, this series features a cast of street-smart talking animals and delves into critical issues such as gentrification, corporate control, oligarchy, and the excesses of capitalism. Scrapper fearlessly tackles weighty social commentary, punching well above its weight class.
I vividly recall De Campi’s anti-establishment inclinations from her work on Dark Horse’s Bank Shot back in 2017. Now, after a successful six-issue run, Scrapper is compiled into a trade edition, set to release digitally and in hardcover on April 23.
The story revolves around Scrapper, an abandoned mutt turned vigilante, and his loyal partner, Tank. Together, they patrol the neighborhood within the domed city of New Verona. But their turf is under siege from all sides by the corporate behemoth known as SMITE (Special Monopoly for Industrial Tech and Engineering). SMITE not only acquires residential and commercial properties for industrial development but also operates shady enterprises under the radar.
SMITE’s paramilitary squads and formidable spider-like security drones oppress the downtrodden citizens without restraint or accountability. In a harrowing turn of events, Scrapper finds himself on the run after witnessing a brutal SMITE shakedown of his adoptive owners. As he digs deeper, he discovers that his origins may be far more significant than he ever imagined.
And so begins an over-the-top odyssey for our characters—a journey that leads them to secret animal enclaves, tangled conspiracies, and an Orwellian plot reaching the highest echelons of power in New Verona.
Scrapper, despite a minor hiccup in panel arrangement during the second issue, races forward as a refreshingly straightforward urban animal escapade. Imagine Cats & Dogs or G-Force with a gritty twist. The narrative boldly tackles themes of camaraderie, loyalty, and resistance against oppressive power structures. Beneath the fur and fangs lies a subversive, anti-capitalist undercurrent that propels the story.
The art team masterfully balances the weighty themes with light-heartedness. Their vibrant compositions and energetic pacing keep readers engaged. But there’s more: intriguing character nuances emerge. Only children possess the rare gift of understanding animal speech—a delightful touch. Yet, be warned—the sociopolitical subtext might elude younger readers.
Prepare for action galore! As the plot unfolds, animal-versus-machine clashes take center stage. Older teens will relish the subtle humor woven into the animal species’ dialects—especially those of pigeons, rats, and cats.
Christian Davenport
cable201@comicattack.net
