Scalped #44

Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Davide Furnò

 I guess Aaron is on a law enforcement theme with this book, as this is the second issue in a row to focus on an officer of the law.  The star this month is Nitz, the FBI agent who has been pursuing Lincoln Red Crow for some twenty years.  Nitz is a pretty obsessive guy, and in the face of his recent setbacks (his partner killed, his investigation a shambles), he has drawn the ire of his superiors.  As the issue opens, he is told that his case is being shut down, and that he can transfer or retire.


The rest of the issue is filled with Nitz processing this information.  His first instinct is to confront Red Crow, but that doesn't work the way he would like it to.  His second instinct is to commit suicide, but that is also a bust.  Instead, he tries for a variation on 'suicide by cop', with results that were actually pretty funny.


Aaron has done an amazing job of populating this book with people that you wouldn't exactly like or want to know, but whom you develop sympathy for none the less.  This issue is a good example of how he can get us inside a character's head.  The art, by Fuorno, is decent and works for this story.