Writer: Sweeney Boo
Art: Miriana Puglia and Ellie Wright (colorist)
Publisher: Dynamite Comics
Price: $3.99
Release date: April 3, 2024
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Disney Villains: Cruella De Vil #3 Review.
THE DISPATCH
This issue opens a bit differently than the previous two. Instead of an introduction from our anthropomorphic dog narrator Jefferies in Disney Villains: Cruella De Vil #3, we are treated to a little backstory of Emily Bezzler and how she became acquainted with Cruella. Emily Bezzler seems to be essentially a cross between Catwoman and Carmen Sandiego. This issue does a good job of establishing Emily Bezzler as a character, and how she attempts to help Cruella. Additionally, we see the return of Cruella’s bumbling henchmen, Horace and Jasper Badun. They are reminiscent of how they were portrayed in the original animated movie. They are hesitant to work for her again, and make their hesitation known. Their cockney accents come through well through the dialogue and readers can imagine the original voice actors saying their lines.
ART
The art in Disney Villains: Cruella De Vil #3 is good, but there are some inconsistencies with previous issues. For instance, when Cruella first meets Emily at the end of the previous issue, she is wearing a green dress, and here she is wearing her usual black dress again, even though no time seems to have passed in between issues. There are still detailed newspaper articles, but not at the beginning like in the previous issues. Emily Bezzler’s movements in running across rooftops and stealing jewels seem modeled after Catwoman. The architecture and environment of the big city of London is very detailed. The animals in this issue are depicted more realistically than cartoonish.
Horace and Jasper look similar to how they were seen in the original animated film. The most significant part though is that Cruella’s car makes a return appearance, even though it was totaled by the end of the movie. She either had it rebuilt or got a new one that was exactly like the old one. It also looks very similar to how it appeared in the original animated film, complete with headlights that resemble angry eyes. The final page shows Cruella driving away in her car. They also made sure to keep the steering wheel of the car on the left side, as is the case with British vehicles.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Disney Villains: Cruella De Vil #3 does a great job at providing more of a backstory for Emily Bezzler and her connection to Cruella, as well as reestablishes the relationship between Cruella and her henchmen, Horace and Jasper. This issue seems to make Cruella more confident in her villainy, when she was previously wallowing in self-pity. She doesn’t seem interested any longer in keeping up appearances and pretending to be on the straight and narrow, but unashamedly evil. What do you think will happen next? Can Cruella trust Emily not to double-cross her?