Things just got a hell of a lot more interesting in Copperhead with issue 15. Since the start of Copperhead, Clara, Clay, and Mr. Hickory have all harbored secrets that have begun to unwind. With the truth being revealed, it will only lead to massive consequences that will affect the future of Copperhead.
The Good:
Since the start of Copperhead, it has been a mystery why Clara along with Zeke, had to move to the town of Copperhead. After 15 issues that mystery has been revealed as Clara has taken Clay’s loot and hid it somewhere as he was serving time. Along with taking his loot, she (also) took his son, Zeke, despite not being the biological mother to him. With these two pieces of information it is understandable why Clay has been planning to take risks to get to Copperhead to get back his son and his loot. This reveals the true nature of Clara, which is opposite of her profession, as she is willing to take a child that is not hers, but is willing to enforce laws in a town to make it safer. Her hypocrisy forces a reader to question her actions as a law enforcement agent as she portrays one set of ideas publicly, but engages in a different set privately. As this is occurring, a different set of political corruption is revealed by Mr. Hickory. He is speaking with his business associates who want to bring a sheriff to Copperhead who would make it easier for them to use their mine for illegal purposes. Clara has been kidnapped by Clay and Mr. Hickory is being challenged by his associates as to how they can make this incident a favorable situation for them. It is further clarified what Mr. Hickory’s goals are and how he will soon be clashing with an element of law enforcement in Copperhead, be that Clara or another sheriff.
The Bad:
The comic’s major flaw is drawing attention away from Clara and Clay and placing it on Boo and the rest of the characters in Copperhead. One of the central points of Copperhead has been Clara running away from Clay, as he is trying to get to her. With him finally there, the comic avoids the showdown cheapening the plot that has been teased for several issues. As a result, the comic will have to create a situation that will force the two into a showdown with each other.
The Verdict:
Copperhead, issue 15, is the beginning of a new arc as Clay has finally landed on Copperhead and confronted Clara. There are many secrets revealed between them including that Clara took his son Zeke and his loot, which expands her character. Yet the comic falls short as it drifts away from the long-expected showdown between Clara and Clay to focus on how Copperhead will enforce the law with a missing Sheriff. Due to this, the comic does not kick the arc off in the best way as it creates interest between Clay and Clara, but drops the ball as it pulls away from their interactions with one another.
