After a brief hiatus, DSTLRY is back on track, with The City Beneath Her Feet #3 its next title to be released. The finale of an epic story of romance, hitmen, and utter heartbreak, James Tynion IV, Elsa Charretier, and Jordie Bellaire, you have until May 11th to get your orders in and find out if love prevails or if it’s a killer. With an advance review copy in hand, I can safely say this action thriller delivers on the action that made the series so great, but also a realistic look at how we cope with dysfunctional relationships.
When DSTLRY first launched, the idea made so much sense: Give creators far more control and own the stories. Tynion and Charretier certainly deliver a different kind of read in The City Between Her Feet, not only blending relationship drama with action but also telling a comic story in an unconventional length while staying true to its consistent narrator focus.
If you’re out of the loop, the story follows a writer named Zara, who speaks to the reader directly on a train platform. The first two issues revealed how she fell for a happy-go-lucky hitman named Jasper, but due to Jasper’s flighty nature and inability to stick around, Zara wrote books about the hitman. Thinly veiled, a mob boss caught wind and wanted Jasper and Zara killed in case anyone figured out this secret assassin society was real. At the start of The City Beneath Her Feet #3, Zara is being protected by Jasper’s assassin friend Liz, as droves of hired goons attempt to take Zara out.
Much like any romantic entanglement, it’s a messy affair, and bad decisions are around every corner.
Striking action!
Credit: DSTLRY
For the first third of this issue, the bad decision is trying to keep Jasper’s angry cat alive while bullets are flying. Charretier and Bellaire deliver striking action, with great use of oranges, reds, and purples to draw your eye. There’s a silkscreen pop-art vibe that enhances the chaos of the action.
Midway through the story, Tynion uses a quieter, more relaxed sequence to delve into Zara’s relationship. It’s a human moment as Liz and Zara connect, but Liz’s frustration over Jasper’s death also leads to a rather fulfilling argument from Zara: writing the books about Jasper’s life was a coping mechanism. It’s a smart way to turn the attention away from a tragic loss and the guilt Zara feels, into something far more real that the reader can connect with.
The second half of the book zigs and zags, with a lot more action and explosions. As climaxes go, the final resolution is conveniently timed, but it does follow the narrative’s rules. It also features another hitman we’ve seen before, which makes you want even more stories from this crazy corner of New York. Woven into this issue is a chance for Zara to find new romance, further cementing this series as far more romantic than one might imagine, with hitmen and murders taking place left and right.
The City Beneath Her Feet #3 sticks the landing with a finale that delivers both spectacle and emotional weight. The action is sharp and visually striking, but it is the character work that lingers, especially in how it explores grief, guilt, and the messy reality of relationships. The pacing can feel a bit rushed in its final moments, but the core themes hold strong, and the creative team makes a compelling case for this world to continue. It is a fitting end that feels true to its characters and tone, while leaving the door open for more stories.
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