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Genius J’s Technicolour Almanack of Graphical
Wonderment |
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Writer: J. Andrew Clark
Artists: Victor Cabanelas, Enzo Pertile, Art Grafunkel, Jason
Whitley, David Wachter, Koeb, Chris Fason, Josh Hagler, Jonathan A.
Rector
Inker: Brad Mekle (Monstermat)
Colorists: Leda Sostoa (The Midnight Special), Edgar Arce (The
Midnight Special, Max Clementine, Supersensory Sleuth)
Letterers: Steph St. Laurent, Vincent Sneed
Published by: Dial R Studios
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Reviewed by:
Bruce Logan |
EXCLAMATION: “Effin’ Awesome.”
EXPLANATION: There are a total of 8+1 short
stories (the 1 is for the lone single-page one) and although I
won’t go into much detail, I will do a quick run-through.
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Blood of the World: Birth of the
Universe, its last panel is a bolt from the blue.
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August Frost: With a WWII backdrop,
this ‘love lost’ story is least chilling but most human of
the lot.
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Adjustment: The single page one, it
had me confused about the reason for the ‘adjustment’.
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The Midnight Special: Never try to
rob the Midnight Special. You don’t have a chance in hell.
On maybe that is exactly what you do, a ‘chance’ in hell.
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The Paroxysm of Alexander Kort:
Narrated from a unique point of view, the effect of this
story increases in hindsight.
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Hope is a Waking Dream: About a
little girl meeting a stranger in need of help. The only
‘problem’, it in a dream.
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Max Clementine, Supersensory Sleuth:
A ‘Dick’ tale (i.e. private detective) told with lovely
full-colored cartoonish art.
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The Missionary: Zombies, Aztec ones
at that! A good enough tale, though with nothing quite
memorable about it.
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Monstermat: Monsters (dead, undead or
otherwise) are serious business and when dealing with (or
in) them make sure to pay your dues properly and on time,
which includes making damn sure that your checks don’t
bounce.
EXAMINATION (Story): Awesome! Not
one to use this particular adjective often I use it even less so
in the positive sense (when it comes to my comic reviews). Then
again, awesome is exactly how I would describe J. Andrew
Clark’s, Genius J’s TAoGW. Consisting of a collection of
short stories, it is a nonstop shivers-down-the-spine
rollercoaster of chills and thrills. It is just that - Awesome -
that too with a capital-A.
Before that I’d like to admit that going into this book/issue I
had no knowledge of J. Andrew Clark, who he is, his previous
works etc etc. (Still don’t by the way.) I was more than a
little skeptical too, mostly because I didn’t want to get yet
another dose of the run-of-the-mill ‘scary’ tales with your
usual zombies, vampires and their other monstrous brethren.
Having read TAoGW (twice already) I am more than happy to
announce that there is nothing ordinary about the stories here.
Be it the oddly funny opener, the equally eccentric closer or
for that matter the ‘prose’ story of the bunch, every story of
TAoGW is a head-spinner.
Readers interested in getting their own copy of Genius J’s Technicolour Almanack of Graphical
Wonderment, can order it at
www.scartissue-comic.com
EXAMINATION (Art): As for the artwork, it varies
from the painted-look to the cartoony; all of the styles (near
about) perfectly suited to their stories.
PROCLAMATION: Get it, read it, put it down and then pick
it up to read it again. This is that good.
RATING: 4.5/5
Order your own
copy at
www.scartissue-comic.com
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