Deadline (Ltd. 2002) (Marvel) [COMICS]

Deadline, a 2002 four-issue limited series, offered a modern take on the idea of super heroes as celebrities subject to the tabloid journalism era.  The series' main character, Kat Farrell, is a journalist for the Daily Bugle assigned to cover the trashy exploits of super heroes--only she really wishes to be a "legit" reporter assigned to an urban crime beat.

Issue # 1 is really strong, as Kat only has a week to impress her bosses in order to land an open position, and she gets an anonymous to tip to look into a missing judge named Michael Hart, whose fiancee was murdered.  Before she can investigate though, she learns that there's a serial killer preying on super-villains (one who's not the Scourge!); but the killer, a fellow in a black cloak and white mask, saves her life  The realistic cover art on all four issues (by Greg Horn) is fantastic (though the interior art is far more cartoony).

Issue # 2 sees Kat visit a Bar With No Name on the trail of Hart, and learns that The Tinkerer helped save his life after he was shot by a mysterious killer.  Two and two should come together, and lead to the conclusion that Hart is actually the serial killer of criminals known as the Judge.  There's a weird back-up feature with Jay Leno that is best avoided.

In Issue # 3, Kat finds out about Hart's backstory--it's a bit convoluted, and has something to do with a mystical amulet.  My notes aren't clear on the point, but, according to myself, there's an "odd twist!".  So that could be good . . .

There's a nice, satisfactory resolution to the mystery of who "murdered" Hart in Issue # 4.  Apart from an unnecessary subplot with a rival reporter, the series ends strongly, leaving the reader wanting more.  The depiction of Kat through all four issues is well-rounded, and she comes across as far more realistic than the "capes" she has to investigate.

All in all, a nice little mini-series that's worth picking up.  According to the Marvel Chronology Project, Kat Farrell recurs in several other comics in the past decade, which is pretty cool.