Review: ‘Deep Cuts’ #2 Is A Beautiful Encore

Welcome to the table,

I’ve been having a lot of conversations about the nature of art and what we put out into the world as of late. So many creators, especially in the current economic climate of the United States, are working two or three jobs so they can feed their creative batteries but also feed themselves and their families. Disabled creators are often juggling even more challenges with the added weight of medical bills and the cost of accessibility considerations. You add to that the fact that when times get rough the first thing people tend to limit their spending on is the arts and creative endeavors and you start to paint this picture where those who make our music, write our stories, and craft our art are often creating for the love of creating because they are not being compensated for their worth. Those who still manage to push through all of that are true titans in my mind. They weather what feels like a more and more prevalent message that they are here to serve but not be appreciated or valued because those they serve can “give them exposure” or “have the AI do it” or “Do it themselves but just can’t be bothered.”

Despite all this, the pain points and the struggles, creatives are still out here creating. I think it’s because deep down we know that these stories just need to be told.

Deep Cuts #2 from Image Comics is one of those beautiful stories that just needs to be told.

Written by Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark, with pencils and inks by Helena Masellis, colors by Igor Monti and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Deep Cuts #2 is a powerful exploration of a creator’s will overcoming expectation, self-imposed stumbling blocks, and depression… economic and otherwise.

It follows the story of Gail, who has spent years ghostwriting, doing copy work, and picking up jobs until she finally lands her chance to write a “real show” all her anxiety and hope is tied up in this being her only shot to really make it.

The larger and louder commentary is that Gail is working three times as hard to get things done while men who are less competent get famous for the work she is doing and, frankly, Gail wants to see her name in lights because she has earned it.

It’s a story with a message that feels timeless in that nothing seems to change and those who do fit a certain mold will always be elevated regardless of how much those who don’t look like everyone else in the room push themselves, doing more for less to only go unnoticed.

The tale is as old as time, but there are points where the writers explore what it means to build yourself up in your own mind and how those thoughts, once verbalized, can turn people’s opinions of you for better or worse. It’s done in a way that, coupled with the moody linework and color use, is nothing short of beautiful.

If you are a fan of music and fulfilling and thoughtful historical storytelling then you really need to be reading Deep Cuts.

Until next time, sometimes the art just needs to be made.