Review by Frank Plowright

Lauren Greene needed to get far away from Detroit, and we pick up with her in Flat City, Alaska five months after the events detailed in Vol. 5. As seen on the cover, she’s working for a food bank, and she notes early that while communication with the shapeshifting artificial intelligence has improved, it’s still basic. Also seen on the cover is a well guarded government facility…

Because she’s aware she’s still in danger, Lauren’s policy is to keep to herself and not let anyone get too close, except that contradicts her basic nature. Von Allan spends the first chapter introducing a new supporting cast, including the fractious Chuck, gold miner by trade, foraging in a mine that’s now been closed by the government, and in which people have been disappearing.

It might be felt that Allan’s underplayed the idea of Lauren having access to a shapeshifting artificial intelligence. It makes for a good visual counterpoint to otherwise real surroundings, and on a couple of occasions it’s proved instinctively protective, but as seen on the sample art, in this volume it has day to day value.

This is very much a set-up story for what’s to come in Vol. 7. The tone has shifted from crime drama to something possibly supernatural, although readers may suspect that despite the way things look, there’s a more ordinary Scooby-Doo-style explanation. We’ll see. Either way, despite jettisoning the entire supporting cast to date Allan ensures Lauren is strong enough to carry the story.

There’s also a bonus strip, nothing to do with Lauren, but a short featuring Bill and Butch, wizards for hire. It’s funny magical fantasy in which the present day is shown before an extended flashback explains everything. In his comments Allan mentions how his career to date has been one of consistent struggle, which is a great shame for someone both talented and persistent in producing a consistently entertaining drama. Try Wolf’s Head and become captivated.