Dancer

Dancer #1-5

by Nathan Edmondson (Text), Nic Klein (Artist)

The multiple sell-out miniseries from the writer of WHO IS JAKE ELLIS? and the artist of VIKING, DANCER is the story of a retired assassin who must protect his ballerina love from a sniper stalking them both through the back alleys of a wintry Europe.

CNN calls DANCER: "The best example of what's possible without a man in tights."

Collects DANCER #1-5.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Crime, Thriller

132 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2012

About the author

Comic book and screenwriter Nathan Edmondson is a native of Augusta, GA. His Eisner-nominated book Who Is Jake Ellis? will soon be a major motion picture from 20th Century Fox, and The Activity film will come soon from Paramount Pictures. NPR has listed his work among the “Top 6 Comics to Draw You In” and USA Today and CNN are among those who have listed him in their Top 10 lists.

Nathan currently lives near Los Angeles, USA.

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting idea. A retired black ops assassin falls in love with a young ballerina and considers settling down with her. But that's when another younger assassin comes after him and his lover. But here's the catch: the assassin on his tail is a clone of him.

Straight up spy suspense with a sci-fi twist. The game of cat and mouse is very tense. Because the character is running from a younger, more ruthless, and more sociopathic version of himself. I felt like I didn't really get to know the dancer. She seems to react to the situation more than to have an ongoing story arc/inner life. The story is more centered on the lead character and his entanglements with the other assassin.

I gave this 3.5 stars because of the fact that I was missing more of a viewpoint from the girlfriend. The artwork was good and the storytelling was suspenseful. This would be an interesting ongoing series.

[Unai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cualquiera que vea a Edmondson hoy en Marvel Now, escribiendo "Black Widow" y "Punisher", vera que tiene mano para los espías y las armas de gran calibre, así que no es extraño encontrar que hace un par de años, escribiera una historia de asesinos de la CIA, para Image. Una historia seria, cruda, directa, sencilla y disfrutable por ello.

Un hombre trata de llevar un noviazgo normal y una vida normal con una bailarina de ballet, hasta que un intento de asesinato, le hace confesar a su amada, que el no es quien aparenta ser, sino un asesino de la CIA retirado. Por algún motivo, alguien quiere matarle, quizás la propia agencia y no solo a el, pues otro asesinato similar ocurrió pocos días antes. El problema es que nuestro protagonista ha visto al francotirador que va tras él, y lo que ha visto es imposible.

Viajaremos por Europa en un duelo personal de francotiradores, que es bastante disfrutable, tanto en la historia, que por fuerza, en una historia corta de 5 números, no puede profundizar todo lo que me gustaría, como en el dibujo de Nic Klein, que transmite muy bien al lector el frío y la oscuridad que los protagonistas están viviendo. Un bocado rápido y sabroso de francotiradores asesinos a sueldo del estado, con un detalle extra.

[William Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jesus H. I guess all there is to getting Image to put out your creator-owned book is to swipe an idea from somewhere else. Nathan Edmondson writes his version of Luc Besson's 'The Professional'. The end.


Writing: C
Art: C

[47Time · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you like dumb thrillers, this one is for you. The main character is invincible, even though he is old and with a heart condition. Or maybe they don't make sniper rifles like they used to. Or just maybe the writing is crap, I'm sorry to say. You've got the innocent love interest, the brooding, well-informed operative who has all the answers, more guns than you can shake a stick at and betrayal galore. It feels like the 80's again.

Alan Fisher just got invited to move in with his girlfriend Quinn, a ballerina set to retire. But then his dark past comes back to haunt him. Not only is he marked for death, but a man who looks just like him is on the hunt.

The hunter is one of Alan's clones. Though he is supposed to be skilled and though he headshots a few men on Alan's tracks, he conveniently misses Alan. Twice. Quinn gets kidnapped by the clone and used as bait. The CIA wants the clone dead too because he killed one other clone of Alan's. It's a whole clone saga in here.

Alan heads for Dresden where the clone again manages to miss Alan's head using, probably the same sniper. Dude, are you sure you zeroed that thing properly? Oh, but he headshots an innocent bystander. On the next encounter, Alan decides to give himself up in exchange for Quinn's freedom, while his colleague the Fox is ready to snipe the clone. The clone has all the time in the world to aim at Alan and he only hits the shoulder. Oh, come on! After 3 'accidental' headshots, he gets the shoulder. This is what I hate about spy thrillers - the main character gets a second chance. And a third... and a fourth...

The clone and Alan head for their 'final' showdown in a zoo. Didja notice those quotes? Didja? The clone is one of the talkative ones, bragging about his youth and skill like a toddler. He leaves Alan shot and drowning. Surely, the guy is done for. But no, he makes it out alive. Must be his heart condition that's making him... MORE resilient? Spy movie logic...

Instead of killing the guy, the Fox offers to hire the clone for the CIA. The clone accepts, but first he has to get rid of Quinn. More spy movie logic incoming. She surprises him and even gets a few shots in. Holy crap... the amateurism on these clones. It's just about enough time for Alan - he's still alive after being shot twice and submerged in ice cold water during a heavy winter - to climb some tower where he finds a conveninently placed sniper rifle - because movie logic... As expected of the good guy, Alan headshots the clone as the latter was strangling Quinn.

And the icing on the cake? Alan survives. He is again working for the CIA, whether he wants to or not. They trust him enough that they show him where the cloning takes place. More amateurism, this time on the CIA's side. Alan whips out his gun and a grenade and starts breaking stuff right and left. Then off he goes, walking into the sunset. What an absolutely senseless mess...

[Drew Woodworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Nic Klein is doing his best Charlie Adlard impression. The storytelling gets a little muddled with two versions of the same character running around. The story was good enough to be stolen by the film Gemini Man, but that’s not saying much. The Dancer of the title is somewhat superfluous to the story and doesn’t have a lot to do. Alan’s relationship to her thrown aside once the action gets going.

[Devon Munn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Pretty interesting thriller book about a older spy and a unknown hunter. One major con i had was the main female character in this (like in The Light) whined alot of the time (though understandable due to the situation) but she doesn't really do anything till the end of the book. It is still a pretty decent read though

[Sie Kensou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un Cómic muy bien dibujado, dónde asistimos a un Triller con toques de espionaje bastante bien llevado. En el cual la acción es trepidante pero que analizado de cerca nos permite darnos cuenta que realmente no aporta nada nuevo al género. En resumen lectura entretenida para pasar el rato.

[Soaring Leaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice art. The girlfriend was kind of a plot device for most of the story till the end. I kept thinking of Metal Gear Solid and Genome Soldiers while reading this, ending was predictable even with the (almost) plot twist).
Short and nice read though.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume contains the entire series. I really liked the premise but it felt like a short story rather than a complete story.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Bourne-ish, love the art!

[Paul Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was confusing for me. Characters not quite as developed or endearing as I would have liked.

[Khalid Albaih · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet! Art is great
It's a Hollywood movie waiting to happen.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is good, storyline recycled

[Lucía Xochimitl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Regular

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appeal Characteristics: Visuals, fast-paced, twists, love element, no super powers, super heroes, or any time of fantasy element...well not yet anyway


Okay, this was a thrill ride. A Jason Bourne thrill ride. Anyway, you see this cute little ballerina girl (Irish) who is in love with this "slightly" older man. Their romantic date of deciding about "spending the rest of our lives together" turns into fleeing for their lives together as this crazy sniper is after them. Well, them, or just the "slightly older man..." WHO ENDS UP BEING THIS CRAZY ASSASSIN BACK IN THE DAY. The ballerina is like in shock because (of course) she's wondering about her choice in men...and how he failed to mention that little tidbit while they were getting to know each other. Top it off...their's this huge twist in the end. *takes a deep breath* It was a lot to take in for only like 27 pages. Rest assured I will one day finish this mini-series to find out...what's going on...

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

Dancer is a nicely drawn, sometimes graphic spy story where a retired assassin is being hunted down and must save the love of his life. This isn't anything real original, but what makes it a little cooler than some others is that he's fighting his clone. This adds an element of mystery and excitement.

However, while it is definitely entertaining, it isn't the most memorable story I've ever read. There could be a little more care put into a back story, or at least something to flesh it out more. And I'll admit that the explanation for the clone is decent, but it's not mind-blowing.

Ultimately, Dancer just concerns you with the here and now. These two are in love, and they're in danger. It's quick and to the point. It's a fun read, with artwork that's very fitting and atmospheric. It's sometimes gruesome, and moody.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

this will be short and sweet -
Really cool story! Very Brubaker/Phillips at times, which isn't a bad thing. I loved everything about this book and I didn't see it coming. I wish I had more backstory and more action, would be the only hang-ups I had with it. Otherwise I heavily recommend it was a quick and worthy read.

[Cale · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't anything particularly memorable. Hunter/Prey between an old assassin and a younger version, with a dancer as the hostage. Perhaps there's some deeper meaning to the contrast between assassin and dancer, but honestly, it's fairly rote. No big surprises, no big twists. Decent artwork, but again nothing memorable.

[Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

A competent but forgettable spy thriller.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because it has a dancer on the cover. I totally judge comics by their cover. It was an interesting story with an interesting twist.

[Laurel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great premise, but the final two chapters lost creativity of the beginning.

[Nomad nimrod · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jason statham will probably end up playing movie version of this book.

[Rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...