Chronicles of Wormwood #3
	Story Title: ‘Knocking on Heaven's Door’ Writer: Garth Ennis Art: Jacen Burrows Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse Editor-in-Chief: William Christensen Published by: Avatar Press
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

Starting off with a couple of kick-in-the-face fast-paced issue Chronicles of Wormwood takes a breather this month. Setting off on a road trip at the end of the previous issue this month’s installment has the trio of Danny (Antichrist), Jay (Jesus) and Jimmy (the talking rabbit) going places, literally. From the high-up (heaven, not Mt. Everest) to the down under (hell, not Australia) to the middle-Earth (for Tolkien fans) we have it all. Heck, we even get yet another dose of Ol’ Pope Jacko and his ‘outgoing’ worldly ways. For more on Pope Jacko, check out my review of CoW #2.

Although the plot is quite thin, (and believe me it really is quite thin), the journey i.e. dialogues, jokes and other character interactions (almost) make up for it. The locales of Heaven or Hell are depicted in a rather subtle manner, by Ennis standards I mean. Nevertheless, there are the obligatory digs, this time against Suicide Bombers and their seventy-two virgins and Child Molesters who masquerade as their protectors. In addition, in between all the cursing and whatnot Ennis slips in his trademark deep thought. Here it is about the question of Heaven and Hell and how one gets to go where, what part is predestined and what part he/she plays in it. Although a bit expository it does present an interesting point of view, one which should (and does) work/hold true regardless of ones’ religious beliefs or lack there of, or even if one believes in the whole heaven-hell, afterlife etc. ‘First do no harm’. The brilliance lies in its simplicity.

There is however a small hitch here. There is a distinct feel of the story (both writing and art) coming from a Christian angle, be it in the way both Heaven and Hell are setup or run, or even in the general governing rules. Given that people of all races, sex and faiths are shown a more secular setting would be preferable. However, it wasn’t perturbing (at least not enough me to take offense). I just chocked it up as the writer and artist drawing from their cultural and religious background(s).

Just when the story starts to get a bit too ‘heavy’, in comes Pope Jacko who in his first panel appearance (of this issue) is getting, well, butt-fucked. Yes, he is not doing it to someone else but rather getting it done to him, but a nun no less, (with a strap-on of course. What did you think…that she has the appropriate ‘appendage’ of her own?). I especially liked the empty FOSTERS beer cans lying next to Jacko. After all, as their advertisement goes, Fosters is ‘Australian for beer’. Similar to his previous appearance here too Jacko ‘placates’ his subordinates from declaring an all-out emergency. The issue closes with a rather surprising ending.

The artwork is as consistent as it has been since the start of this series, which means it continues with all its plus points as well as the negatives, both of which I lined out in detail last time around, (so won’t redo them).

Conclusion: The slowest of all three issue, still miles ahead of (at least) half of the titles on the market

RATING: 7/10