Review by Frank Plowright

Dahlia Racers is a freelance problem solver whose speciality is putting people beyond the reach of those who would harm them. There’s no time wasted in getting down to business in this second solo appearance as she agrees to protect Rosaline, the young daughter of a noted biochemist who’s being blackmailed. There’s an action set piece on the canals of Venice before Rosaline is to be taken to a remote nunnery for protection.

The prevailing 1970s attitudes are exemplified by the first thing seen within the nunnery being a naked woman sitting on a horse. She’s drawn considerably better by Ace Continuado than would have been the case in the first volume, in fact so much so one wonders what ailed him last time. The backgrounds are no longer generic, the people move freely and there’s greater imagination in laying the pages out.

Charles Ardai has proved on several previous occasions that he’s a taut plotter of action thriller graphic novels. The mixture of action and conversation is balanced, the characters slot well into the story at appropriate points and his stumbling blocks are well concealed. A big early surprise is Rosaline choosing who she wants to accompany, a minor spoiler as Ardai has plenty more to throw in. His one weakness, although there are some who wouldn’t see it as a flaw, is continual objectification of women. It seems he’s got it out of his system in the nunnery, but there’s plenty more nudity, always women. Another slight problem is Rosaline sometimes acting older than twelve, even allowing for her being smart and independent.

It’s a fair while before the disguise mastery so crucial to Dahlia’s first story comes into play, and shortly afterwards the extent of what’s at stake is revealed. From then it’s a twisting action rush to the finish as the threat changes and no-one’s safety guaranteed. Sadly, the epilogue is yet another treat for wanking teenage boys.

The gratuitous exploitation diminishes what otherwise succeeds as an action thriller on every level. Next up is Exposed, so the signs aren’t good for a change of attitude regarding the portrayal of women.