X-23 #7: The Three Sisters?

I love the opening juxtaposition of Laura’s dark monologue with Gabby innocently ordering an ice-cream. This perfectly encapsulates two apparently contradictory parts of Gabby’s character. Similarly the pastel colors of the ice-cream store contrast with the film noir style of the crime scenes that follow. So it’s immediately clear that this is a well constructed issue which should come as no surprise. It sets out it’s stall early, introducing the key ideas and conflicts that will define the arc. The revelation of the “third sister” (if that is what she is) was very effectively handled with a beautiful full page panel. Gabby’s reaction to locking their “sister” up was also touching.

It’s not the funniest issue, in fact I can’t remember the last time I didn’t laugh at a book with Gabby in it. But she’s still charming and that’s a minor complaint given the amount of emotional, thematic and narrative heavy-lifting that the issue gets through.