THE VICTORIAN #20 (OF 25) 32 pages, full color, $2.95/$4.60CAN Penny Farthing Press www.pfpress.com

Created & Developed by Trainor Houghton Script by Len Wein Pencils by Claude St. Aubin Inks by James Taylor Colors by Hi-Fi Letters by Richard Starkings Painted cover by Glen Orbik

If you haven't been keeping up with this maxi-series you can still jump in at this juncture and thrill to the adventure and intrigue. Granted there is a lot more back story over 19 issues than is needed for the plot in this issue but the introductory page gets you up to speed with the important parts. This chapter focuses on Vinnie "the Cheese" Scarpizzi, a small time hood that is involved with a major scheme of money laundering. He takes his orders from newly-appointed Federal Reserve Board member Buford Crown. Vinnie is getting nervous that he is becoming too high profile and as we see in this chapter, as he leaves with his latest batch of money to deliver he is being shadowed bysomeone wearing a top hot. Which makes us wonder if it is the Victorian himself. But how can this be? Trace Babineau, the hero inquestion, is being held for questioning in the disappearance of Eudora Kincaid and her grandmother. MEANWHILE Eudora's friend, Aden, discusses her fears for her friend with her father, not knowing he is the mastermind behind Eudora's problems and much more she does not know about.

We are beginning to see another element in the New Orleans population as a secret group is meeting in an abandoned building - all with face make-up and top hats painted in various patterns. But the focus is on Vinnie's fate and the people that bring it about. It stands alone as a thrilling subplot that will draw you in to the excitement and mystery of the larger story.

Len Wein is masterful in giving life to Trainor Houghton's characters. The art is superb in every aspect. This is what comic books should be like all the time. You can put this up against any of the larger company's efforts and it will stand above most of them. And there are collected works of the previous chapters if you are inspired to get caught up. Try it and see.

--David LeBlanc, Comicbook.net and www.digitalwebbing.com

http://www.digitalwebbing.com/cbem/12.html