Chachu #1
Marcell Hines
Recap
1979. Leila, a 19-year-old Pakistani-Canadian girl, stands on the cusp of adulthood, eager to experience the "real world" for the first time. With a head full of Hollywood dreams and a penchant for pulp novels, she ventures to California to connect with her estranged uncle — her "Chachu" — a middle-aged, semi-retired private eye who gained brief fame after marrying the starlet he was initially hired to find. But when Chachu's wife goes missing once again, the two are forced on an impromptu road trip to track her down — with Leila navigating young adulthood and Chachu confronting his own mortality and regrets.
Inspired by her own coming-of-age experiences in the entertainment industry, Chachu is the solo writing debut of superstar Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), a reinterpretation of the classic neo-noir private investigator story brilliantly illustrated by Marianna Ignazzi (Exquisite Corpses) and colored by Jordie Bellaire (Absolute Wonder Woman).
Review
Family can be complicated, especially when you travel cross country to meet an uncle that left before you were born. When Leila travels from Canada to Los Angeles in search of her elusive “Chachu” she is pulled into a mystery of Hollywood proportions.
Chachu is the independent debut comic debut of rising acting star, Iman Vellani. After stopping at Marvel for a spell to write the character she brought to life in the MCU (Kamala Khan), Vellani has now taken her talents to Image and has traded in her bright tights for shades, cigarettes, and a story of mystery and family.
Vellani creates a very relatable protagonist in Leila, who seeks answers on the Uncle she never knew. Her reasons for searching are still mostly unknown, but there is plenty of meat on this bone. Lelia’s quirkiness makes her fun to follow and her dynamic with her uncle is already entertaining. The mystery being built is worthwhile as well, with plenty of neo-noir flair.
Marianna Ignazzi’s pencils are stylish and fun, enhanced by Jordie Bellaire’s stunning colors. A warm palette of oranges and reds bathe this book in a somewhat retro glow that adds weight to the pencils. You can feel the dry heat of the California sun.
Final Thoughts
Chachu #1 is a very fun independent debut that promises to be an entertaining tale of mystery and family.
Chachu #1: Family Matters
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 7.5/107.5/10
