Goldie Vance #3

Goldie Vance #3

Some readers were concerned about the actions of girl detective Goldie Vance in the first issue. Goldie “borrows” a car in the course of an investigation, and there was consternation over the lack of consequences for her. Well, this is the time to remember that the story is four issues long, since this is the issue where the pigeons come home to roost for Goldie, with repercussions that extend beyond her to her father.

His boss, the hotel owner, has come to visit, and he doesn’t care for what he’s hearing about Goldie’s actions. In addition to her recklessness, Goldie doesn’t get along with the owner’s daughter, a conflict that complicates her interactions with management. She’s even on the outs with her father, who’s disappointed in her. That leads to a beautifully illustrated, emotional beat where Brittney Williams draws a big-eyed Goldie saying, in Hope Larson’s words, “I’d never do something bad if I wasn’t trying to do something good.”

Goldie Vance #3

That gives Goldie even more impetus to find the missing hotel guest and figure out who took him, since she hopes that solving the case will restore circumstances to the previous status quo. Watch for that to happen next issue. On a more positive note, we do get to briefly see Goldie’s mom for the first time.

In spite of the idea that actions have aftereffects, if previous events hadn’t convinced you this series was an escapist fantasy, the final action sequence, complete with car chase and sudden helicopter appearance, will do so. Or maybe the introduction of a new helper and a beach movie set (which loosely justifies the otherwise unconnected cover). It’s all ridiculous summer fun, with as many classic elements of girl detective adventure as the creators can think to introduce. (The publisher provided a digital review copy.)



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