In this review of Self Help #3, we learn in flashback and real time that Danny’s wife, Michelle is not a saint herself. Cassandra learns the truth and decides to take a leadership role in this scheme.
Self Help #3: Live, Laugh, Love
Writer: Owen King & Jesse Kellerman
Art and Main Cover: Marianna Ignazzi
Color Artist: Fabiana Mascolo
Covers: Stephen Byrne
Release Date: August 21, 2024
This review contains spoilers
Self Help #3 — The Story
Self Help #3 begins with a flashback, where we learn that Danny’s wife was in league with Danny prior to his arrest. She however. Does not know what happened while he was in prison. Now she is learning.
Now a creep has her little girl tied up and is holding a machete to her. Hanging on the wall of their home is a wall hanging saying live, laugh, love. She grabs the hanging and smashes into the creep. She then stabs him in the throat with a pen, saving her traumatized daughter.
In his beat up apartment, Danny, aka Jerry is interrupted. He grabs his gun and finds Cassandra at his door. She pushes in and reveals to him that she knows his identity as Jerry.She pulls a gun on him and gives her deal, Cassandra will not turn him in for the death of Darren if Jerry continues the ruse to be Darren. He agrees and she gives him a cell phone. He better answer or she will call the cops.
At the diner, Jerry gets a simple message: “Danny-Live Laugh Love” . Jerry rushes out of the diner. He races to the home and runs in. He finds Michelle and his daughter hiding under a blanket. Michelle is pissed at him. Jerry finds the creep’s body and the two prepare to bury the body. Cassandra calls and the little girl gets Cassandra’s voice mail. Michelle snatches the phone and yells at Danny. Where are they going to go. Danny has an idea.
They arrive at Cassandra’s compound, they are going to stay there. Cassandra reiterates the terms of the deal and continues to prepare him to be Darren.
Analysis
The art in Self Help #3 continues to be simplistic but effective. Brutality is shown but again not over the top. There is not going to be a shortage of red ink after this story is finished.
The story takes another turn. We learn that neither women, Michelle or Cassandra are good either. Michelle is a crook and is forced to become a killer to protect her daughter. Cassandra herself sees an opportunity. She has little to no concern about Darren’s wearabouts. All she really sees is dollar signs and she is willing to use Danny to get those dollars.
This is a realistic depiction of humanity. No one is entirely good or bad but a combination of the two and that dichotomy in the person is masterfully explored in this piece. Self Help is truly and artistic as well as story masterpiece.
Final Thoughts
Self Help has one more issue remaining to wrap up this simple yet complicated story of lies and death, all for the sake of money.
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