Orla! #1
Creative Team
writers: JOHN LEES
artist: SALLY CANTIRINO
colorist: DEARBHLA KELLY
letterer: LUCAS GATTONI
publisher: MAD CAVE STUDIOS
Reviewed by Katelynn Virgous
Are you tired of right-wing incels fanatically drooling over your bikini pics? Is your Tinder date red-pilled, insufferable, and giving you the ick? Have no fear, Orla Bard is here.
Written by John Lees, Orla is seen by many as a quiet, docile, heavy-set woman. But those who truly know her label her as, “The Most Dangerous Woman in America.” Orla is seen by She spends her days honing her craft at her antique furniture restoration and repair shop, and spends her nights on the hunt for her next partner.
When Orla goes on dinner dates, she is paired with men force-feeding her their yucky politics, investment ideas, and misogyny all wrapped into one bite. Luckily, she is able to eat twice.
Regardless of the opportunity to go Dutch, Steve feels obligated to pay for dinner. He tries to push his anger and frustration behind his mask, insisting that he is a good guy. As most dangerous and imposing men try to convince you they are. After forcing himself to walk home with Orla and then inside for a “night cap.
Steve’s privileged place in society as a white, seemingly heterosexual male tends to blind him when red flags are raised at every turn, and consent is given at almost every stop. But, Orla dangles the idea of power over her and the situation right in front of his inflamed ego, and he is left to survive a series of deadly situations.
A noble service indeed, but you are what you date. Logging onto another dating app, she needs a profile picture, but all the ones she has taken are not to her liking. The opinions of her dates seep into her. She picks her face apart, finding everything wrong with the way her weight sits on her body. Even though her suitors don’t find her undesirable if they choose to date her, she can't be because she’s always bagging men.
Taking her mind off of men and her own insecurities, she dives into a world of hopeless romance.While Orla was enjoying her reading, mine became quite discomforting. As a black reader, there was one word choice that threw me all the way off. The dreamy male character says,” My family line has been blackened with tyrants, madmen, and murderers. I fear that I, too, shall succumb to their curse.” Utilizing the word black as a way to say cursed, tarnished, soiled, or ruined, is completely outdated, and almost made me want to stop reading. I am hoping this is utilized as a mechanism to discuss racism and intersectionality in Orla’s views in future volumes. Otherwise, this is just gross.
This art style by artist Sally Cantirino, is reminiscent of 1960s comics with its bold cartoony style and bright, captivating colors by colorist, Dearbhla Kelly. It takes a classic feel, and allows you to get comfortable with the characters, plot, and art without being overwhelmed with text. Thanks to letterer, Lucas Gattoni. It lets the reader be okay with being enraged by the behavior of men and gratifies that feeling. The artistic framing of women versus men is greatly appreciated. It is rare that you see big women portrayed in sex scenes, as a desirable love interest, or even with realistic body proportions. This comic not only did this well, but left notes for illustrative teams to pick up on.
Final Verdict
When reading Orla! #1, readers should ask themselves, “Why does the media not reflect the outcomes we want to see?” They are quick to show murderers and villains who live freely, and are even seen in a positive light with no consequences. Turns out, we were looking in the wrong places. If you are looking for art that shows the world you want to live in, or at least one better than you live in. Orla! is sure to make you hope for a safer future.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 8.0 |
| Story/Plot | 10.0 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.0 |
| Colors | 10.0 |
| Final Score | 9.3/10 |