Hecate is a legendary New York City graffiti artist who has decided to retire and abandon her mission of changing the world through art, but, before she quits, she’s going to create one final street-art experience: a graffiti scavenger hunt through the streets of Manhattan that will lead her fans to a final message and artistic testament. Will it be enough to renew the strength of her conviction to remain true to her artistic self? Find out in Hecate’s Will #1, written and drawn by Iolanda Zanfardino for Black Mask.
Hecate’s Will #1 opens with a bold statement: “Isn’t making art just proudly showing your scars to the world?” with tones of pink, a ripped dress and scattered accessories. It immediately took me back to my junior year in college. I was enrolled in an art therapy class, and every week we were instructed to draw a guided picture before the professor revealed to us what certain placements of objects or particular colors displayed about our mental state. It was revealing and both captivated me and made me want to hide in a corner as all my classmates could see my weaknesses. On 8½ x 11 printer paper, each week we bore our damages and joys in this small class, resulting in a series of 12 pieces of art I will never throw out but can’t bring myself to look back on again.
We’re met with what looks like a series of screenshots that show folks on social media anticipating some event before cutting to a previous year — 11 years before our current time — with a wonderful shot of the Manhattan skyline as we narrow in on a street to a window.
Hecate declares she is done with her stint as a graffiti artist. There’s only so much one can do to impart one’s message to the world. She’s turning 30, and her friend convinces her to do a thing. Despite her introverted interests, Hecate is roped into designing the costumes for Mateo’s theater troupe. We find out a bit about the cast of this version of Rent, and we also find out that Hecate is ready to make her final guerilla art piece. Nine pieces in total, eight characters and a final puzzle connecting them all: a figure of a grim reaper. Just like Hecate’s guerilla art, we only get glimpses of what this all means, instead of the full picture. We see an image labeled “Piece One: Grand Central Station” with a floating woman, spiky tendrils reaching for her and also seeming to spill from her mouth as paper scatters below her. We also see Hecate interact with a “soothsayer” who tells her she’s got a big decision to make with a lot of pain, but Mateo writes him off as not all together.
Hecate is historically a Greek goddess with power over the heavens, earth and sea. She’s known for her connections to magic and being represented in three forms to see in all directions. We’ve already been introduced to our Hecate’s original name, Rebecca. We see a possible third form of her as she steps into the chaos of Grand Central Station and debates what it means to be a normal person. I can’t help but wonder if, as more of her artwork is revealed, her figures will connect to the goddess in more ways.
Iolanda Zanfardino has done a masterful job as both writer and illustrator. Neither portion seems to have suffered at the expense of the other, as can sometimes happen with storytellers who double up on their skills. The muted inks and bold, reddish-pink color scheme give the issue urgency. Her expressions masterfully capture both Hecate’s pensive and angry emotions and Mateo’s patience. So far, I’m along for the ride.
Cat Purcell is a Career Services Librarian, cosplayer, artist, and massive coffee consumer.
