I don’t do these posts enough & I need to start changing that. I’m working hard to put up more comic book specific articles and posts rather than just trailers and movie news (although I like those as well). Okay so this week, one comic book jumped out and went for my jugular with it’s grit & noir storytelling by the brilliant Ed Brisson, Adam Gorham & Michael Garland – The Violent #4 from Image Comics.
Rock and a hard place, that’s what I’ve realized I’m enjoying in some twisted way about this story of Mason, his wife Becky and their daughter. The story isn’t something that’s going to jump out at you like some major motion picture with tons of action, it’s the slow pace, enough time for you to soak in all the stunning artwork by Adam Gorham, colours by Michael Garland, allows you to let the weight of their actions settle in. Ed Brisson is stepping up his game with each comic he writes and this issue is no exception. WHY this book wasn’t nominated for an Eisner Award for it’s writing and artwork is beyond me.
What I love most are the little scenes / panels which you DON’T see in other comic books. In issue 3 it was the picking away at the beer bottle label counter to the final pages of issue 3. The build up of what was to happen was wonderful and it continues in the latest issue. Ed Brisson wrote in the letter column of issue #3 that they wanted The Violent to be like “a splash of cold water, a kick to the face” and WOW does that happen in this issue. I kept muttering “oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck” as I kept reading when Debbie came back to her & Dylan’s place with her new man then went upstairs. Of course this was minutes after the wonderful scene in the car with Mason and Becky as they discuss Detective McPherson questions Becky in the hospital. Again, the scenes build upon each other in such a brilliant fashion and then NAIL it with the closing final page. Even though the book is ending in the next issue, I feel this story will resonate with me for a while. I’ll be buying the trade once it’s out.
Lastly the cover art on this series is eye catching, enjoyable and telling from the scenes, the layout, fonts and colour scheme. EVERYTHING a comic book cover SHOULD Be. Thanks to all involved!
Yes, I’m being vague about the comic book plot itself because I don’t want to give it away. Go and check it out yourself.
The Violent #4 is in comic book stores this week. You can also buy & read the book digitally from your tablet / iPad from the Image Comics app or from this link:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/the-violent
The Violent #4 made UPROXX Best Comic Book this week!
http://uproxx.com/gammasquad/best-comics-may-4th/
Ed Brisson’s website
http://edbrisson.com/
Adam Gorham’s blogspot site
http://aprincelydreadful.blogspot.ca/
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