The Deadliest Bouquet #1 Review
Image Comics
The Deadliest Bouquet begins with the death of Jasmin Hawthorn, the matriarch of Les Trios Fleurs. With their mother gone, the daughters must use everything they learned from her and find out who killed her.
Words and Letters by Erica Schultz
Art by Carola Borelli
Colors by Gab Contreras
Their mother’s death forces Rose, Violate, and Poppy to put aside their differences and work together. Dealing with not just the trauma from their childhood, they must now find out who would kill their mother.
This type of forced togetherness has been used before, but what makes it unique is how the sisters view their role and relationship with their mother. The story has set up clever clues for who did it, but the subplot of the family needs attention.
Schultz’s story is very well paced in the issue. The character introduction and clues are laid out inquisitively, getting the reader’s attention from the get-go. Bouquet joins a unique club of recent titles like The Good Asain, where the murder is a vital storyline but the effects surrounding it on the community and family.
Art and color are the weakest part of the issue. Some panels are done well, while others are confusing and chaotic. The character design for the sisters is way too similar, where at times, the only way to tell them apart is by their hair styles. The background or supporting characters are almost copied and pasted with different clothes.
Final Thoughts
Overall The Deadliest Bouquet is an enjoyable read but with its flaws. The story has an excellent foundation to be satisfying, but the art sometimes distracts from it. With the two parts out of alignment, the issue relays on the story to drive it. If the art can get polished and cleaned up, then Deadliest Bouquet can be a powerhouse series.