12-Gauge Productions/Image Comics 2017
Written by Doug Wagner
Illustrated by Daniel Hillyard
Coloured by Laura Martin
Lettered by Ed Dukeshire
Last issue introduced us to Edwyn and Virginia and the circumstances that led to him being where he currently finds himself. I have to say that never before has crazy been as fun and interesting as it is right here and i’m so thankful for that.
Doug took a story that could have very easily turned into a camp mess and made into something both terrifying and highly entertaining. One the one hand that someone like Edwyn would exist is cause enough for alarm and that his urges are controlled by Virginia, the love of his life, well okay we can see that happening. I think many of us have seen weirder things on My Strange Addiction, or at least the commercials for it.
So that Doug can make Edwyn come off as semi-normal and somewhat likable and a victim in his own right well that’s something I wasn’t expecting. I will say that he makes a new friend this issue and one that helps him think things through logically and that’s another aspect of him that’s odd and interesting. The characterisation here is so strong and good that it’s impossible not to like what’s happening in these pages. It’s easy to see why both the first and now second issues have gone back to print as more and more people find out about this series.
Daniel and Laura do some great work in the interiors here. I love the facial expressions and how they keep the characterisation going in unexpected directions. The utilisation of page layouts here is fantastic! The way angles and perspective are used to create the ebb and flow of the story and the attention to detail that we see is superb in fleshing out the scenes. I’m a big proponent of using backgrounds and to see them done here like they are is wonderful and really gives that something extra.
That the story is offbeat, twisted and all kinds of fascinating and that it keeps moving, growing and evolving is excellent. I love that Doug isn’t content to just let the initial story play out but instead is expanding roles and influence of those we’ve been introduced to. That he’s making this much bigger and potentially setting the stage for a sequel is another bonus. It’s nice to see that a writer thinks more about the world he’s creating than just what’s in front of the reader.
This is one heck of a great book. It will capture your attention, interest and imagination in ways that will surprise and thrill. By the end of the story I wonder who we’ll be rooting for as we see who the real bad guy is and who just wants to be left alone to live their life. Oh yeah and watch out folks because Virginia is missing and that’s going to set Edwyn off in ways that could be unimaginable.
An original farce that will take you to the brink of laughter and edge of madness!