Archives
Off the Beaten Path

7/02/07

This week's column has a bonus review, actually a bonus re-review of a series starting over with issue 1. As you scan the page you may be surprised to see a Marvel title, give me a pass, it's Stephen f'ing King, I couldn't resist reviewing his work. I've also thrown in a couple of Wormwood's and a kick ass chick with a bat, I call this the "I'm going to hell" column, read on and you'll understand why. Be sure to check out the photos from this month's Anime Expo. Chanmary, ohh Chanmary,…mmmmmm!….Thank you, and as always…enjoy.

Title-Chronicles of Wormwood

Publisher- Avatar
Script- Garth Ennis
Artist- Jacen Burrows
Format- ongoing
Shipping- good
Age- 17+

The Basics-

Garth 'freakin' Ennis, the man who brought me The Boys (which I am happy to say is back!) has brought out one hell of a character. It's a play on words, get it? No, never mind then. Meet Danny Wormwood, the antichrist, his pal Jay (that's Jesus Christ to you bible thumpers), and Jimmy (his talking rabbit, ask him why his rabbit talks, go ahead ask him) just your normal bunch of friends, hanging out doing what guys like the son of God and the son of Satan do. Things like drinking whiskey in the local pub, banging Joan of Arc doggy style, making a penis grow on a mans nose…good wholesome clean fun. Let's not forget Pope Jacko, as he like to be referred to, we first meet him in the middle of a foursome with some hot nuns, naturally alcohol is involved as is a strategically place finger (you gotta read it to figure this one out- once you do, try it at home, if the Pope can do it, so can you), needless to say, the Cardinals are none too pleased.

The Art-

Jacen Burrows handles the art, really, this could be stick figure theatre and I'd still be happy. Fortunately, the art is solid. I mean the scene where a Nun is strapped and handling the Pope is detailed, vibrant and the poppers are so realistic, I thought maybe this scene was a photograph taken from Craigs List Casual Encounters Section. The characters are well drawn, the backgrounds are fair to good, and in some cases amazing. Solid from cover to cover, that's all you really need in a Garth Enis book. Well most of the time.

The Verdict-

Nuns with strap-ons, the Pope doing poppers, a black Jesus, a talking rabbit. The anit-christ doing Joan of Arc doggystyle! I'm crying tears of joy just thinking about the next issue.

Title- Hack/Slash

Publisher- DDP
Script- Tim Seeley
Artist- Emily Stone
Format- ongoing
Shipping-good
Age-16+

The Basics-

Cassie Hack is back, and soon to be a major motion picture by the people who brought you Hot Fuzz! I reviewed this title several months ago, before the movie deal and before Tim Seeley took a hiatus. Over the past few months, guest artists and writers have contributed their versions of Cassie Hack, some good, some not so good, however the master is back at the helm and the ship is sailing smoothly. This new first issue picks up where the story ended before Tim left, however it also brings new readers up to speed on the main characters and what drives them in a very quick and precise manner. I was impressed with the way Tim Seeley intertwined the back-story without boring the original readers and in turn making the characters and the book accessible to new readers. A quick recap, Cassie Hack is a slasher killer, she kills the boogey men who plague our society. If there's a Freddy Krueger in your neighborhood, Cassie is coming for him, if Jason wakes up again, Cassie's going to put him to sleep for good. Why would someone decide to choose such a profession? What causes someone to lead this sort of life? How bout growing up ugly and ridiculed, then throw in your mom as the school lunch lady, and top that off with her deciding to serial kill the children at your school, cut them up and cook them for the way they treated you. Not enough huh, did I forget to mention Cassie was the one who caught her, and later killed her? Messed up enough now? Good, now you can really get into some fun. Cassie is smart, sarcastic, anti social (duh), psychotic, and sexy as hell, her partner, Vlad is none of the above, he does swing a mighty fine machete. Together they hunt slashers and kill them, kill them good.

The Art-

The art is strong as ever. Emily Stone has a different style from the previous artists; I would call it watercolor style. That's how it feels, like she painted each scene with watercolors, which would be insane. It gives the book and almost Norman Rockwell feel, a good feeling for a book about murderous horror movie rejects. I like the dichotomy. I look forward to more Emily Stone.

The Verdict-

I'm a sucker for a woman in a fishnet dress with thigh highs and a nail studded baseball bat!

Title-Dark Tower

Publisher- Marvel
Script- Based on Stephen King's books
Artist- Jae Lee
Format- 7-30 issues, the info varies
Shipping- good
Age- 14+

The Basics-

This mini series collects the story of the Gunslinger, from the infamous Dark Tower series. I haven't read the Dark Tower, and I've read conflicting reports as to whether this is a recap of the origin, a prequel to his later story, or as one site said, a quick recap which will lead into stories filling the gaps in time from the Dark Tower series. It doesn't matter, even if all the reports hadn't confused me, the book itself would have. It is written in the language of this world, a confusing concoction of slang and misspelled, mispronounced Queens English. Granted after 30-40 pages (okay, I'm exaggerating, after 12-20 pages) you begin to grow accustomed to it and the reading begins to make sense. I don't have much to tell you by way of story or plot. Kid wants to be like dad, only better, evil uncle tricks him, ugliness ensues, kid is forced to become man. Blah, blah, Blah.

The Art-

Jae Lee kicks ass, the art is stupendous. Truly amazing, the backgrounds are a mix of computer coloring and hand painting. The entire process behind the artists is astounding. I find myself picking this book up every week and flipping through it a few times before putting it back on the shelf.

The Verdict-

This is a specialized read, you are probably a Dark Tower fan before you pick up this slow moving, written in pig latin, with 4 pages of novel at the end capitalist, Stephen 'I'll sell out my mother for another buck' King endeavor. Be sure to pick up all 100 variant covers, and the 75 B & W issues.

Title- Wormwood Gentleman Corpse

Publisher- IDW
Script/Artist- Ben Templesmith
Format- ongoing
Shipping- good
Age- 16+

The Basics-

Not familiar with Ben Templesmith? What is wrong with you? He should be familiar as he is the artist on Fell, one of my top 3 books of the year. I can't begin to explain this book… Wormwood is the name used for the Anti Christ, so it will have something to do with demons, devils and hell. It is a freakish story set in a freakish nightmare of a town.

The Art-

Ben has a particular style, not easily imitated, and very recognizable, he fist perfectly with Fell, his characters and backgrounds, well they become part of the story, the background becomes a character. He is good at this particular artistic feat. Making seemingly normal locals, take on a slew of characteristics, akin to a great actor. This is a book you have to see to appreciate.

The Verdict-

Like Pop Bot? Fell? Macabre? Vampires and hell? Okay. This is that and more. Pick it up and delve into your darker side.

Anthony Dominguez
www.anthonydominguez.com
myspace.com/anthonydominguez <TOP>