Darby Pop Publishing 2017
On Sale Sept. 27 2017
Written by Mark Bertolini
Illustrated by Giovanni Guida
Lettered & Logo by Micah Myers
Designed by Steve Blackwell
Bastard’s Waltz is a super-powered thriller with both unlikely friendship and tragic duplicity at its cold heart. When superhuman miscreant John the Bastard is targeted for death, he forces a young Secret Service Agent (Ezekiel Sweet) to protect both his life and his secrets. But, Sweet has secrets of his own…
If you haven’t been paying attention Darby Pop has been floating around for awhile and are finally publishing their own books. You’ll have to talk to your shoppe about ordering them as i’m sure they aren’t on most radars but they really should be. This is top notch storytelling and i’ve yet to see a bad book come out of their arsenal.
The premise is simple enough John the Bastard has been the world’s premiere man who makes you piss your pants. So this issue we are introduced to him in a way that both demonstrates that and just how far up a creek without a paddle he thinks he is. Got to give it up to Mark here for this one because I really enjoyed the progression of the story and how we see things unfold. From his first appearance through how the world sees John we get a solid look at the man and it doesn’t require a constant focus on him to get it. Which by the way is pretty darn impressive.
Honestly i’m usually not a fan of this style of artwork. It’s very I don’t wanna say amateur looking but maybe on the simple side. I like a lot more detail in my art but then again that’s just me. I will say what Giovanni brings did surprise me and grew on me as the issue progressed. I like his use of angles and perspective not to mention how his page layouts were utilised. I would’ve like more backgrounds, yeah I know I ask a lot, as they do tend to flesh out the story more fully.
I like the characterisation that we get here. There’s enough mystery in the story to make you wonder a myriad of questions like who is Nero and why’s he got John shaking in his boots. Who is Ezekiel Sweet and why would John trust him? Those two are the biggies, or main ones I guess you’d say and the will undoubtedly be answered. Then we’ll get a few more questions answered hopefully along the way as we get to see and hear about John’s past as he tells his own story and it comes to life from his point of view.
It’s a nicely crafted first issue that draws you in, leaves you hanging and wanting more. The premise is solid and it’s execution is strong and well handled. There’s a lot happening here as Mark not only manages to introduce us to the two main characters but to this world and those who inhabit it as well. I’m looking forward to it’s physical release.