It is back, after almost 2 years, Copperhead has returned with issue 11. The story picks up right where issue 10 ended as the Mayor was mysteriously murdered, while Clay has successfully escaped from federal prison. As Clay is making his way to Copperhead, an investigation begins into the Mayor’s death with Hickory being considered as the top suspect. As events turn it is revealed that Hickory might, or might not, have something to do with the Mayor’s death. He is controlling several things in Copperhead, as Boo is the new Mayor and Clara’s boss. Once again things in Copperhead are about to change.
The Good:
There is no rest for the wicked as Clara has another crime to investigate; the murder of the Mayor. The main suspect is Hickory who does not like Clara and has wanted to get rid of her since she arrived in Copperhead. Due to this, Boo is sent to question him about his where abouts with the Mayor’s murder. Throughout the conversation between them it is revealed that Boo knows that Hickory wants to unseat Clara and possibly the Mayor as they were getting in the way of his plan. It is also revealed that Boo wants to unseat Clara from her sheriff position. We see for the first time a union forming between Hickory and Boo as they attempt to get rid of Clara who has cost them opportunities. This union also reveals who Boo truly is as he appears as lovable deputy but is self-interested in advancing his own position in life. This is evident when Hickory helps to organize an emergency council meeting, which results in Boo being appointed to become Mayor, thus revealing his nature to Clara. Boo as the Mayor becomes Clara’s boss and has the power to stop her from conducting investigations that would hurt him or Hickory. Thus opening up a new realm of interactions that she will have to navigate in order to enforce justice. While this is occurring the comic begins to set the stage for the next story arc, which is Clay is coming to Copperhead to see Clara. At the end of issue 10, Clay escaped from prison with Annabeth. Since then they have been traveling under the radar while committing small heists as they slowly make their way to Copperhead. Clara considers this news, thus hinting that the two of them have a long complicated history with many consequences for both of them, and possibly their son.
The Bad:
The comic has been gone for 2 years and many fans don’t remember what took place in the first ten issues and need a refresher. This comic does not provide that, rather it continues the story right from where it left off. While this is great for diehard fans it does make it harder for regular fans to remember everything, along with new fans to jump into the comic. Considering that this comic has been gone for 2 years it would have been nice to have a quick recap either in the first few pages or in prose at the start of the comic.
The Verdict:
2 years ago when Copperhead did not return for an 11th issue it was heartbreaking as the story is compelling. Clara struggles to enforce justice while dealing with her past. When I discovered that it was coming back it was refreshing that the story would continue and that we would see how Clara deals with her past when it comes back in to her life. Issue 11 does not fully deliver but it begins to set the stage as Clara’s past is catching up to her very quickly and Clay is on his way to Copperhead. As her past is creeping up on her, she has to deal with the new problem of having Boo as the newly appointed Mayor and Hickory, the man who put him there, attempting to get rid of her as Sheriff. Copperhead, issue 11, allows for a reader to get a unique comic experience as they are subjected to a very local threat and a general threat at the same time.
Now that Copperhead is back you might need to catch up, you can purchase the first volume here.
You can enjoy this interview i did with Jay Faerber for my podcast just recently about his work in comics and on Copperhead :
