The worst day for Clara Bronson just got a hell of a lot worse. Copperhead, issue 14, focuses on Clara closing in on who ordered the Mayor to be killed and who carried it out. Within inches away from apprehending the assassin she is attacked by the culprit, which results in a fight breaking out between the two. All while this is occurring Clara’s husband, Clay, has made his way to Copperhead to appear before she emerges victorious over the assassin.
The Good:
We discover how tough Clara is in this issue, as she gets herself into a good old fashion life-threatening brawl. In this fight Clara came in with a gun and winds up having her weapon destroyed while the assassin still has a sword. Clara has to think quickly and efficiently to disarm her opponent’s sword. The fight becomes a fistfight as the assassin is slowly gaining the upper hand as she is inching closer to killing Clara. With Clara backed up against a wall and only a few more punches from her death she grabs the sword and stabs the assassin. Despite Clara being in a tough spot she can and does hold her own in any situation. Clara has stopped and solved the assassination of the Mayor’s case her ex-husband has finally made his way into Copperhead. Clara’s problems have gone from out of the frying pan and into the fire as she now has to face Clay, who has come guns blazing. This is the moment for several issues that readers have been waiting for as the showdown between husband and wife has just kicked off.
The Bad:
The entire issue seems rushed as Clara is closing in on the case. In particular, with Clara asking for Ishmael’s help, who in turn almost immediately finds new information about the assassin. This is done while Clara is at the train station hoping to find and stop the assassin from escaping. This seems out of place as for the last 3 issues there has been no headway or any major break through and in this issue in a few panels the motive and the person are revealed. Furthermore, the fight between Clara and the assassin is anti-dramatic, as the build up has made it appear as if it was going to be more of a showdown between the two. The issue and arc feels as if it was a transition issue to allow for Clara, Boo, and Clay to have more room to be developed as characters to prepare for the next arc this issue has left off on.
The Verdict:
Copperhead, issue 14, is the finale in Clara’s investigation to who and why the Mayor was murdered. All through the arc we witness Boo, Clara, and Clay becoming developed as characters as they all are about to play a bigger role in Copperhead. While this story arc and issue 14 was not jam-packed full of excitement that previous issues have had, it does usher in the new arc. The showdown that has been teased for almost 10 issues is Clara vs. Clay. Issue 14 plays a pivotal role for the next arc of Copperhead.
Can pick up Copperhead right here.
