Andrez Bergen’s latest noir superhero comic is rather different from his previous noir superhero comic. Bullet Gal was a deeper and more dramatic story: a girl running from her tragic past, desperate for vengeance, gets caught up in a world of superpowers, gangsters, virtual reality, and more. Magpie, on the other hand, is a more comedic take on the familiar noir tropes that Bergen is so fond of. It’s witty and self-aware and a bit over the top. It’s also proving to be a lot of fun.

In the previous issue of Magpie, we only met our titular heroine briefly at the very end. Here, we finally have a chance to get to know Magpie a little better. She’s a tiny blonde girl whose costume somewhat resembles a sexy French maid outfit. She has a smart mouth, a bored, world-weary attitude, and is much stronger than she looks. When she thwarts your attempt at crime or evil-doing, it’s probably less out of moral responsibility to uphold the principles of good and right, and more just because she’s sick of your crap.

This issue sees Magpie go up against a gang of hoodlums in their hideout. First, though, she has to get to the hideout, which proves more challenging than you’d think. Then, after defeating them, she runs into even more evil to face, which she’ll do in the next issue. The episodes are very short, only 9 pages apiece, as they’re just a small section of a larger publication—the Australian comic magazine Oi Oi Oi! In such a short space, it can be difficult to get invested in the story, but Bergen and artist Frantz Kantor are able to bring us a finished product that piques our interest quickly and makes us eager for the next installment.

Kantor’s art complements Bergen’s words very well, especially in this issue. It’s colorful and vibrant, with a CG feel to it that creates the cityscape in which Magpie operates, as well as a number of colorful characters. It’s incredibly detailed and worth taking a closer look at.

I definitely recommend this comic to anyone who likes noir or prefers their superheroes with a bit of sarcasm. Can’t wait for the next issue.