Review: Crosswind
This month, I’m going in a different direction.
While I was in the U.K., someone in a comic book store recommended I try a new series called Crosswind. As I didn’t feel like dragging the books around with me, I decided to wait until I came back to the U.S. to buy them. And so I did.
And it is amazing!
So why review it here? Well, it’s another take on ye olde body swap-male and female. However, this time it’s written and drawn by women.
From the publisher, Image Comics:
Goodfellas meets Freaky Friday in this mind-bending new ongoing series from fan-favorite creators GAIL SIMONE (Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Deadpool, Secret Six, Birds of Prey) and CAT STAGGS (Adventures of Supergirl, Smallville Season 11, Wonder Woman ’77). A slick and ruthless Chicago hitman. A smart but downtrodden Seattle housewife. When an inexplicable event strikes these two random strangers, their bodies, souls, and lives are switched—to potentially deadly effect.
Crosswind introduces us to two main characters. The first is Cason Ray Bennet, the aforementioned hitman. He is ruthless and efficient, yet has a (very small) soft spot for his friends. Oh, and he’s sleeping with his fellow hitman’s fiancée. He is handsome, well-dressed, and never intimidated.
The second is Juniper Elanore Blue, a “lovely, but somewhat frazzled, Seattle housewife.” Her husband walks all over her; her step son is a rude and disobedient teen; and even the neighborhood kids are unbelievably crass to her. She fancies herself a writer, and the reader sees examples of her work in places throughout the narrative.
The first issue shows you their lives. Cason kills a good friend under orders. Juniper has to plan a dinner party for her abusive husband. Cason is then sent to check in on his boss’ grandson while Juniper goes to the supermarket. Then, for some reason, they switch bodies.
As expected there are some moments of fish out of water. Both receive a mysterious phone call by someone who knows they’ve been switched. So, while Juniper cleans up a messy murder, Cason has to prepare the dinner party.
Here is where the story falls just a touch into cliché. We see how a man reacts in a woman’s body and vice versa. The man is strong — the woman is weak. There are some darkly humorous moments to be sure, but I haven’t decided if the authors are making a statement about the roles of men and women in society, or what’s going on. (I haven’t read all six issues yet, as issue 4 sold out everywhere. I’m working on it.)
I know this — I’m hooked. Gail Simone starts with cliché, but as the story progresses, the characters “fill out” and become much more rounded — especially the supporting cast. There is enough intrigue on the Hitman side to drive the story, yet there is more violence on the Housewife side. Which actually figures.
Oh, did I mention that there IS a transwoman in the story? Cason as Juniper calls her “Frankenbarbie,” and as Juniper drives away, the woman says “Cis women…” I think those are enough tells for me!
After I was halfway through this review, I discovered that the first six issues have been collected into a trade paperback. You can bet that by the time you read this Monday (or whenever), I will have tracked a copy down.
Even if you’re not a “comics person,” this one is so worth your time. Oh, by the way, it’s been optioned for a TV series. Just saying.
Crosswind by Gail Simone and Cat Staggs ISBN: 978-1534304741
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Ok, as predicted, I found a collected edition of Crosswind, and I read it.
First off, I was right- the person is a transwoman. She appears again in a big way.
There are some real hard core plot twists, and an ending that REALLY satisfies.
And the book is VERY Trans-positive.
I seriously can’t recommend this series enough!!!