In advance of this year's Valentine's Day, DC Comics is releasing DC Crimes of Passion, a collection of short stories by some of the finest talent in comics. DC Comics has given CBR an exclusive look at writer Ram. V and artist John Paul Leon's story from the issue, "Reflections of the Heart," and a few exclusive statements from the scripter on the book.

Explaining what he's most excited for fans to see in his story, writer Ram V. said, "These anthologies are so great. And an eight pager is a little bite-sized story. I always take pride in being able to tell a layered, nuanced story regardless of the real estate. I think John Paul and I have been able to do that with this story. It's what I love about comics. The art, the medium and the narrative, and the words all coming together in more ways than one to convey something nuanced. I'm very excited with what we were able to achieve in this story. Add to that the fact that The Question is one of my favorite characters to write."

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Ram V. then talked about what drew him to this story. "I think, for me, it is less about me being drawn to one character or the other," he said. "It's more about being excited to be able to tell certain kinds of stories with The Question. There has always been a philosophical leaning to the character and an air of self-interrogation, particularly highlighted by the absence of a face. The absence of a tangible sense of self. I think that's brilliant grounds for storytelling. Without going into the details too much, I think the story reflects that. Investigating the self, interrogating who we are, the things that drive us. Add to that the psychogeographical leanings from [Rick] Veitch's take on the character. This is the kind of storytelling I love to do.

The writer also talked about collaborating with artist John Paul Leon, saying, "What can I say [...] that hasn't already been said? He is the artist's artist. I look at his layouts and there are things to glean and learn from them that are useful even to a writer. Plus he brings an incredibly restrained and yet bold aesthetic to the way he tells the story. I think that is particularly in sync with the kind of story we're telling, and his layouts for the pages just match the pacing and the sensibility of the narrative really well. I am absolutely thrilled with how this looks, but more importantly with how it reads."

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You can see CBR's exclusive look at Ram V. and John Paul Leon's "Reflections of the Heart" story in DC Crimes of Passion below.

DC CRIMES OF PASSION #1

  • written by James Tynion IV, Steve Orlando, SINA GRACE, Jay Baruchel, Stephanie Phillips, and others
  • art by Greg Smallwood, Riley Rossmo, AndiE Tong, Mike Norton, Anthony Spay, and others
  • cover by YASMINE PUTRI
  • Passion. Betrayal. Murder. When you’re a private investigator, these are things you experience daily. But when you add capes to the mix—like Batman, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn? Things get even messier. The name’s Slam Bradley, and I’m telling you that this year’s Valentine’s Day special has more intrigue than you can shake a stick at. Ten tales of love—the kind of love that can push people over the edge. Don’t miss it...or I’ll make you pay.
  • ONE-SHOT
  • PRESTIGE FORMAT
  • ON SALE 02.05.20
  • $9.99 US | 80 PAGES
  • FC | DC

DC Crimes of Passion #1 releases Feb. 5 from DC Comics.

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