llegal Cargo is a deeply engaging
comic tracing the journey a father takes to try and find his daughter in
Mexico. Helena had left El Slavador to go to the USA for a better life and is
last heard from in Mexico City. Her father, Jose, sets out to find her after a
strange encounter. The journey is brutal and the comclusion unexpected.
The story is grim, the travellers are preyed upon at
every opportunity by thieves and gangsters, they take terrible risks riding on
the top of rail cars. Augusta Mora never lets his cast be simply stereotypes or
symbols, they have the spark of life and all are fighting to survive. Jose
travels a double journey, both physically and one of redemption for a barely
lived life.
The art is sharp and engaging, the cast are given worn
out faces and bruised bodies, everyone has been battered by their life. The
body language is eloquent as they struggle to survive. The walk on parts and
the supporting cast are given the opportunity to register with the reader and
stand for themselves.
The colours are a joy, they catch and manage the
emotional tone for the story with subtle grace, they weight and depth to the
art.
The lettering is functional, it is easy to read without
adding anything in particular to the comic.
Illegal Cargo is clearly the product of a distinctive
creative imagination and strong story telling craft, it packs a punch that makes
it a pleasure to read.
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