Review: ‘Deep Cuts’ #1 Brings Down The House

Welcome to the table,

My father was a musician among other things. I like to think if we had a relationship, I would have studied music more, learned to play something cool like the banjo or the trumpet, and learned to read music. However, things being what they were, I never got the offer to try and pick stuff up.

The weight of family can sometimes be a heavy one and mine’s opening number is laced with melancholy music and sorrow-filled songs. So when Deep Cuts was on the table I knew before I even opened the book that it was going to cut deep. I was right.

Deep Cuts is a beautifully written and brilliantly illustrated slice-of-life story that captures the coming-of-age lessons of a musician trying to find their way in the world with talent, wit, and the weight of family legacy to guide them. A must-read for fans of comics and music alike, Deep Cuts provides a message you’ll be thinking about long after the music fades.

Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark lend their pens to the written words of this story, while Danilo Beyruth handles the pencils and inks. On colors, Igor Monti brings some spectacularly dazzling interior work and Hassa Otsmane-Elhaou really sings in the lettering department. I kid you not, the lettering in this book is really standout and showcases how a talented letter can really make a book come alive.

Michael Busuttil also handles himself quite nicely, as not only the editor, but also a designer on this work and I think they are in need of a call out, along with Rich Folks on production art. Chris Brunner‘s cover is part of a larger piece of art that connects all six issues of the miniseries, and the super start pallet master extraordinaire Rico Renzi lends his color weaving magics to the cover art really just adding to the artistry of the whole project.

The team is a gathering of all-star talent and this book shows that not a single member of this band of magic makers brings anything less than their A-Game.

NOTE: These preview pages are beautiful, but I can promise you that the final pages  pop with so much vibrant color and light that when you compare them to these it’s going to feel like you switched from a busted old car radio to an in-person concert.

The story is set in New Orleans in 1917 and follows Charles “Ace” Stewart as he learns the ins and outs of the music industry and the hard life lessons that come with working with those who only think of themselves. The character development is so natural and is a real testament to Higgins and Clark’s push for immersion in this work.

From the bombastic grinning charmer Jack Cartier, to the reserved and loving Mother Martha, each character has so much depth that the work really feels special.

The book also comes with some really charming and informative bits of history and a lead sheet newly commissioned for this issue by Joe Clark, from one of his former students Thaddeus Tukes.

When a creator cares enough about a work to reach out and have sheet music commissioned for it to help capture the tone and style of work… I mean that is truly something special.

That’s the takeaway friends. This book is indeed something so special. I know we joke often that my editor gives me grief for rating most things highly. However, he understands that I pick 75% of the titles I review and I tend to look for things that are powerful and moving and Deep Cuts is a perfect example of those qualifications.

Deep Cuts #1 (of 6) from Image Comics arrives tomorrow.

Until next time, don’t step on your friends else you find yourself alone when you need them most.