Image Comics reviews 8/5/26: MASK 3, Chachu 1

Chachu 1

For a number of very encouraging reasons, Chachu is reminiscent of Pornsak Pichetshote, Alexandre Tefenkgi and Lee Loughridge’s stellar The Good Asian. It’s 1979 and Leila, a Pakistani-Canadian, has left Canada to attend college in California. Not for the waves or the potential of seeing Hollywood stars. She’s arrived in hopes of connecting with her long-lost uncle, or her Chachu.

While the rest of her family has moved on in the two decades since they last saw him, Leila wants to know more about the man she’s only heard about in passing stories. Leila knows her Chachu could offer more insight on her late father, who she never got a chance to know. Leila’s impromptu visit comes just as Chachu’s Hollywood starlet wife, Cleo Chandler, races out of the house in a hurry to get to Las Vegas.

Chachu isn’t sure what to make of his bold niece, who’s ecstatic over the thought of connecting with the other side of her family. That reunion has to wait as Chachu’s father-in-law/Cleo’s manager threatens him at gunpoint to get Cleo back before the premiere of her new movie. Leila invites herself while breaking down several different possible scenarios as to Cleo’s location.

Writer Iman Vellani gives this story so much energy successfully providing the classic detective noir tale with a fresh twist in the form of an unwanted sidekick full of youth and excitement. Chachu has the swagger of a not-so easily rattled private eye keeping emotion out of his latest case even if it is personal.

Artist Marianna Ignazzi fully matches Vellani’s energy with lively panels and creative layouts that reflect this unique spin on the usual dark and gloomy noir stories. Ignazzi’s artwork is stunning offering plenty of personality for the characters that takes a dialogue-heavy story and keeps it visually engaging. Colorist Jordie Bellaire is a modern-day master and her gorgeous blends of colors is a natural fit for the California sun-drenched aesthetics of the series. There’s a short list of colorists who would do this story proper justice and Bellaire is right at the top. Letterer Lucas Gattoni also brings a creative spin to the dialogue and Leila’s notes in her journal as well as the sound effects.

Chachu is a very engaging read right from the start. This five-issue mini-series is well-paced with likable characters and a strong mystery. This should make for a fun series to follow to finish out 2026.

Rating: 9 out of 10