Comix Tribe 2015
Story by Tyler James & John Lees
Written & Lettered by Tyler James
Illustrated by Alex Cormack
Coloured by Jules Rivera
First of all I love Oxymoron he’s this decidedly delicious unrepentant psychopath who we love to see in action. For all his popularity the Joker doesn’t really hold a candle to Oxymoron at least not they the boys depict him here. Take this opening for instance I was freaked out and then geeked out by what happened. There’s nothing like opening an issue with such an intense moment unfolding before you and the sheer audacity and creepiness of it is one of those things that immediately tells you that you aren’t going anywhere.
So Clark gets back her Detective badge after last issue’s massacre and hearing the Commissioner’s side of it really makes sense why gave it to her. It also paints more of a picture of her past that can someday be revealed, other than her partners murder six months ago. I love how Clark runs through the crime scene giving them the rundown of what happened. This is an incredibly smart, sophisticated and generally unsettling event that is just so freakin amazing to witness. Now this is comic books people and any similarity to real world events was unintentional so don’t get on your soapbox about anything depicted here.
Senator Gus Spalding is Oxymoron’s latest victim. I’m seeing a pattern here as first the loved but corrupt Mayor now the Senator who isn’t squeaky clean gets offed. You’d almost think Oxy has a mad-on for those who don’t tell the truth or somehow besmirch the public in ways he deems unacceptable. Let’s be clear he’s no anti-hero he’s really despicable but even they have their own twisted sense of honour, right and wrong that they operate by. I think the scenario and the way Clark has it unfold is pretty genius, to use that location purposefully and just the way it’s told has such an amazing impact on me as a reader. You don’t see such heavily concocted plans like this anymore the thought process behind it is a rare thing.
Oh I have to say if this is how Oxy got his name than I gotta say hell to yeah people I love how it comes to be. The dialogue between Clark and Gaines was superbly done I love the sass, confidence and tension in that room. So as this story continues not only does it get more and more intense and the action brings characterization in some unexpected forms. I sit and read this and think damn how is it that these guys from this little bitty company they run have come up with the absolute best character around and have him running circles around the best villains that comics have to offer.
That we get such a great look into the man as he fixes those Oxymoron’s in life and gleefully causes panic, mayhem and murder as if life is nothing more than a game of checkers is absolutely amazing. There’s nothing here that doesn’t scream crazy in one shape or another. From Clark and her partners continuing relationship to their personal lives to the Commissioner and the press. Everyone has a part to play in Oxy’s madness and he’s weaving them all into a corner of his choosing. This is beyond a doubt some of the strongest storytelling on today’s stands.
Alex has his own unique style of illustration that he brings to the table and I love the way his work looks. There’s details and expressions and life and zest in what we see. Jules manages to take that and keep it firmly entrenched in the comic book world with a fabulous colouring job. Heck even the unbridled violence they depict is done gracefully and powerfully without being obscene.
Powerful, confident, imaginative and immensely entertaining Oxymoron is what the rest of the industry wishes it had.