Story: Suzanne Cafiero
Art: Jeff Zornow
Colors: Antonio Fabella
Letters: DC Hopkins
Publisher: Dynamite Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 8th, 2023
It’s the first day on the job for Pixie Stix in Sweetie Candy Vigilante #4, working as a member of Sweetie Candy Vigilante’s hit squad! As part of her orientation, she’ll be given a tour of Sweetie’s HQ and weapons arsenal. Meanwhile, Sweetie’s arch-nemesis Volgare and his army of thugs continue keeping the city in their iron grip. But change is coming!
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 Sweetie Candy Vigilante #4 Review.
The Story
Sweetie Candy Vigilante was one of my favorite series last year, and with Sweetie Candy Vigilante #4, it continues being one of the standouts among the avalanche of books coming out each month. Pixie Stix’s journey from issue 1 has been so fun to follow, as Sweetie has taken her in and made her a part of her operation. Pixie represents the reader, we’re introduced to this wonderful universe through her, and we’re as surprised, awed and delighted as she is when new revelations happen. Pixie and most of the other characters in the book have a great visual design and Pixie’s wide-eyed innocence and wonder is a great counterpoint to the other characters.
This issue goes deeper into the universe of this series and these details are why I love the series so much. Characters from fairy tales are members of Sweetie’s organization. Hansel and Gretel are two german motorcycle-riding scientists/assassins. A living Christmas tree named Tinsel is also a member and her right-hand man Candy Wolf seems to be the wolf from “Little Red Riding Hood”, but with a goth look and style. It’s a great concept, having fantasy characters existing in the real world (seen in other works like the “Fables” comic from DC and the TV shows “Grimm” and “Once Upon a Time”), and it works just as well here. And we haven’t yet begun to see all the characters working for Sweetie.
Sweetie’s weapons are all candy themed. In past issues, we’ve seen Sweetie wield licorice whips, which are barbed whips made of tensile licorice. This issue, we see a jawbreaker pistol, complete with a skull mounted on the shaft of the pistol, which fires explosive jawbreakers. The series has taken its time giving us details on Sweetie’s backstory and this world and it makes the book so much more enjoyable, because we’ve grown close to the characters in it. It’s a great change from most series, that barely give you any downtime with the characters before they’re launching at another galactic threat to the universe. It makes each issue of this series feel epic and memorable, where other books just come off feeling empty and disposable.
The Art
Jeff Zornow and Antonio Fabella’s art and colors on Sweetie Candy Vigilante #4 pop off the page and make each panel a visual treat. I love the designs for each of the characters. In most books and films, the villain is the most interesting character and the heroes are kind of dull. Here, though, Sweetie and her gang are FAR more interesting and visually stunning than villain Volgare and his army of thugs and addicts. I especially love Pixie Trix’s design, with her purple bangs, eyes always full of wonder and her leather jacket. She’s both worldly and naïve and she wouldn’t have to say a word for you to know instantly who she is. Sweetie and Candy Wolf also have stunning designs, candy-themed in their look, and the vivid colors throughout each issue area feast for the eyes.
Final Thoughts
Sweetie Candy Vigilante #4 is another home run of an issue. We get to see Hansel and Gretel in action (can these two get a spinoff series please?), more of Sweetie’s HQ and weapons, and some great gory scenes that remind you that this book is gloriously grindhouse in tone. Highly recommended.