I Oni Have Eyes for You

What follows is a few Quick Critiques, which aren’t uncommon for this site. The difference this time is that all of the comics reviewed in this entry are published by Oni Press.

Oni may not be a Goliath in the comics industry, but it’s demonstrated over the past decade that’s definitely a David. Continue reading for brief reviews of brand new Oni offerings and one from earlier this year…

Black Metal Vol. 1 original graphic novel
by Rick Spears & Chuck BB

On the surface, this book looks like an all-ages-appropriate comic book; after all, Oni Press has done well with such fare before with such titles as Courtney Crumrin and Alison Dare. But while there’s a delightfully charming innocence and simplicity to the storytelling, it’s definitely for adults. Demon hordes, death and dark thoughts dominate this unusual story about orphaned twin teen anti-heroes who finally discover that their place in the world is actually in the underworld. Shawn and Sam Stronghold aren’t particularly likeable characters, but it’s easy for the reader to relate to their sense of alienation and frustration with the mind-numbing routine in which they are immersed. While the plot shows us the dark twins, their friends and rock-god allies embarking on a couple of quests, the pre-eminent theme throughout the book is one of rebellion. Be it the rules of school or threats from a king of Hell, nothing fazes Sam and Shawn. Rick (Teenagers From Mars) Spears’s script also manages to include a couple of fun subplots and some oddball characters that serve as a hilarious contrast with the sullen, angry stars of the story. I loved Chuck BB’s art on IDW’s Secret Skull three years ago, and it’s just as eye-catching now. But he employs a simpler, more cartoony style that suits the odd nature of the property. His work struck me as an amalgam of the styles of such artists as Scott (Southpaw) Morse, Bryan Lee (Lost at Sea) O’Malley and Jim (Stupid Comics) Mahfood and more. Black Metal actually strikes me as something of a dark cousin of O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim graphic novels, also published by Oni, and fans of that series should have fun thrashing to the two-dimensional music that Spears and BB create here. 8/10

The Leading Man trade paperback
by B. Clay Moore & Jeremy Haun

When I reviewed the first issue of The Leading Man, I noted that writer B. Clay Moore managed to sell the unusual notion of a blockbuster movie star as a secret agent because he didn’t take the concept too seriously. In retrospect and after reading this collection, I really don’t feel that way anymore. Moore does try to sell some of the intrigue, tension and action to the audience straight, and I just didn’t buy it. There are inherent flaws in the core concept, flaws that could have been assets had the script taken on more of a satirical bent. There’s no denying the banter is snappy and the action is fun, but it ultimately comes off as empty as the flicks in which the title character stars. This is probably some of the most convincing and realistic work we’ve seen from Jeremy Haun; one can’t find fault with his efforts here. But like I said, realism doesn’t work for this idea; Haun’s style is just a poor fit. Having an American James Bond portray himself is an inherently goofy idea with potential for entertainment, but a simpler, more exaggerated style is what’s called for in order to embrace the ludicrous side of the concept. Instead, the art and the script try to hide from that goofiness. There’s nothing wrong with the plotting and scripting; it’s the execution that’s off. This capsule review makes it sound as though I loathed the book, and that’s not the case. It was amusing. It just makes the mistake of trying to be Queen & Country when it should strive to be more like The Fall Guy. 6/10

Multiple Warheads #1
by Brandon Graham

If the recent Tokyopop release King City Vol. 1 hadn’t been evidence enough, Brandon Graham shows here that he is a master of the science-fiction genre while also approaching it from a unique perspective. His characters are uber-hip, urban youth immersed in impossible, insanity-inducing circumstances who nevertheless manage to hold onto some sense of normality. While King City offered a distinctly American sci-fi setting (even though other international influences are apparent in the work), Multiple Warheads takes place in a colder, harsher backdrop that evokes memories of the Soviet Union in the 1980s (as do the place and character names). While Dead City, the locale for this first chapter, is a densely populated metropolis as well, Graham manages to instill a desolate, isolated feeling into almost every corner and alleyway. That cold, hostile setting serves as an interesting contrast to the vitality of the two main characters, Sexica and Nikoli. That contrast is further reinforced by Sexica’s “job;” she transports organs illegally, literally moving little bits of life around a terrain seemingly devoid of life (in the metaphorical sense). Graham’s sleek, fluid lines are unlike what one usually finds in a sci-fi book. He brings a much more organic look to his characters and surreal architecture. Sexica is irresistibly sexy, but even the nudity in the sex scene doesn’t come off as gratuitous. It’s erotic, but Graham is also showing us the strength and depth of the relationship. Graham’s word balloons even add personality to the characters and even to objects that surround them. At this point, Multiple Warheads is a fascinating sister book for the equally strong King City. 9/10