Heroine Withdrawal

Max Allen Collins and Terry Beatty’s Ms. Tree: Heroine Withdrawal collects issues #8 to #27, as well as #29 to #31 of the classic comic series, showcasing a diverse array of cases.

The cover by Claudia Caranfa presents a notably distinct portrayal of the protagonist, which, while unmistakably the same character, is nonetheless in the peculiar position of being illustrated by a woman yet decidedly more sexualized than the character’s depiction elsewhere in the volume.

Picking up the series after the first volume often comes with challenges, and this collection is no exception. It is not the ideal starting point for new readers, largely because it is far removed from the series’ inception. However, it includes a variety of short pieces, not only graphic fiction but also a single short story by Barbara Collins towards the end, which acts as a puzzle to be solved. This addition is a delightful bonus, fitting seamlessly with the style of the rest of the book, despite coming from a different author.

A clever use of a limited color palette characterizes most stories within. While many comics opt for either black and white or full color, this series employs various restricted color schemes, such as black and white accented with light tan and orange or black, white, and multiple shades of blue. Although black and white could be seen as a creative choice necessitated by budget constraints, the selection here appears wholly driven by artistic intent. It stops short of invoking the atmosphere of giallo films, yet a similar starkness is palpable at times.

Even in sections that might be considered black and white, a specific shade of brown is used instead of pure black, adding to the grim and unsettling ambiance of the scenarios depicted. Despite the effectiveness of this approach in the shorter stories, the abrupt transition to a different style midway through a narrative may surprise some readers.

Fans of Max Allan Collins, in particular, should not miss this volume, especially those who have enjoyed previous entries in the series. It is also recommended for aficionados of crime comics, offering intriguing examples from a period between the major booms of the genre. While the stories contained within may not reach the pinnacle achieved by Collins’s Road to Perdition, they offer a compelling read for fans of hardboiled fiction.