Scalped #51

Written by Jason Aaron
Art by RM Guera

One thing that we learned from reading the news that came out of San Diego this year is that Scalped is set to end at issue 60.  I imagine and hope that this is by the author's design, as it reflects five years of issues, and I believe matches Y the Last Man, another perennial Vertigo favourite.  I love this title, but wouldn't want to see it stretched out or expanded past Aaron's original plans.  At the same time, I hope that DC hasn't simply given an end date because of sales, and that Aaron is having to squeeze in the ending he'd always intended.

That the book is ending is sad news indeed, especially since it doesn't seem likely that Aaron is going to write any more titles at Vertigo (instead pumping out more above average superhero books at Marvel that can't hold a candle to Scalped).  I've written over and over about how this is one of the two best comics on the stand (usually tied with The Walking Dead), but I guess after this month I can only do that nine more times.

In this issue, a ton of stuff happens.  It opens with Red Crow shutting down his meth labs and arresting the drug dealers that he'd previously been working with.  As expected, they don't react to it well, and Shunka has to demonstrate his usefulness for his boss once again.  At the same time, the Sheriff of the town outside the reserve (can't remember his name right now) decides it's time to take down his own local meth dealers, and to try to become the man he's always claimed to be. 

When we catch up with Dash, he's in the hospital recovering from his wounds of issue 49.  Nitz and Red Crow argue over him, and later, Dash sneaks out to catch up with Catcher.  Lots of long-standing plotlines are moving towards resolution, and the book is becoming very exciting.

I'm pleased to see that Red Crow is acting on his recent change of heart, and is trying to clean up both his act and the reserve.  Previously, every time Red Crow has tried to change, events have conspired against him.  It remains to be seen if he can become a better man before the series ends.  I like that the Sheriff in town is also actively working on himself.  The scene between him and Dino Poor Bear (my favourite character) was very nicely handled.