Cabra Cini’s made a name for herself as the hitwoman to hire when the mark is hard to find or might not be entirely of the earthly plane; however, readers have never known much about her until now. Creator Sam Johnson presents four short stories about the voodoo junkie hitwoman that give snapshots into her motivations, past, and personality to reveal a complex woman who seized supernatural powers to fight off isolation and claim agency.

Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2 contains four short stories: “Prologue,” “White Out,” “The Ballad of La Chica Cabra,” and “Sliding in the Wreckage” which build the heroine’s journey from new practitioner to hardened traveler of the Infinite. Each tale shows pieces of Cabra’s reason to dabble in her dark magic, while she shows hints of a soft heart that she fiercely protects to achieve her goals. Her interaction with a family member of one of her targets in “Prologue” and “White Out” reveals a sympathetic soul for the individuals harmed by her hits but a fierce belief that she must protect the greater good, and her romantic story in “The Ballad of La Chica Cabra” shows our heroine can be just an individual longing for love and connection, even in a harsh world.

While there are several different artists throughout Cabra Cini #1/2, the overall vibe of the panels felt seamless as I read. Cabra’s world is dark and gritty without many bright colors, and the style hits a strong blend of cartoony and realistic. For me it’s a good way to indicate the universe is the real world with a twist without creating a sense of absurdity.

Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2 creates an entry point into this corner of Sam Johnson’s comic universe by offering background information on his darker leading lady. It’s definitely for mature readers (Cabra wouldn’t know PG if it hit her in the head.), but if you want a noir story where the female lead isn’t just a femme fatale, this is right up your alley! Cabra Cini is darkly powerful, cynical, unrepentant but with a heart of gold…when she’ll let you see it!

4.5 Intriguing Uses for a Werewolf out of 5

Creative Team: Sam Johnson (Writer), Bruno Letizia (Artist and Letterer – Prologue) R.D. Ricci (Artist – Prologue, The Ballad of La Chica Cabra, Sliding in the Wreckage), Nathan Ramirez (Artist and Letterer – White Out), Harwan Stia Yoga (Colorist – Prologue), Mark Dodson (Colorist – White Out), D’Anthony Mathenia (Colorist – The Ballad of La Chica Cabra), Aljosa Tomic (Colorist – Sliding in the Wreckage), Chas! Pangburn (Letterer – The Ballad of La Chica Cabra), Micah Myers (Letterer – Sliding in the Wreckage)
Publisher: Actuality Press
Click here to support the Kickstarter campaign.