Self-published 2017
Written by Bryan Knight
Illustrated & Lettered by Dave Davenport
After I asked Bryan my ten questions I was looking forward to reading this. Honestly I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest either and for someone who’s never written a comic book Bryan proves he’s rather got a knack for it. The way the story is structured takes you through the who’s who in the cast of characters as they get ready for a big day, only that day isn’t going to happen the way they thought it would. One of the things I like most about this is the diversity that we see in these characters. That they are amalgams of real people still leaves each one feeling unique and like an individual we can sympathise or relate to.
So yes there is plenty of male nudity and sexual situations, that and the subject matter alone make this a mature readers only title, but it is neither gratuitous or really graphic making it a part of who they are and what they do. Make no mistake when I say that you have no idea the kinds of people who enjoy sex and are willing to do the escort business, it’s big money and there’s a demand so what we see here is the real world in all it’s glory. Some might think it seedy but honestly just like anyone they are providing a service that people want so once you get into that mindset the story itself is pretty damn solid.
There’s a bond among the characters in this story as the five of them know one another, call one another and are sharing this day together. That this day is important to them and the phone calls made demonstrate their relationship to one another beautifully. I can’t get over how well Bryan makes this feel like an ordinary slice of life or something we’d see on one of the cable networks, provided men were willing to go full frontal. With just a short look at each of them in either their private life or work life depending on the man we get a great intuitive look into who they are and it’s a great thing.
Meanwhile at the office James is getting a surprise Birthday party and boy what a surprise it turns out to be! If you know the story you know what’s coming but that doesn’t make it any less surprising or thrilling to see unfold. There's still plenty to come and a whole lot to see unfold and be explained and after seeing this you'll want to learn more!
I love that there’s also some very much bad news for some of the guys. Real life isn’t all rose coloured glasses it’s got it’s biting moments as well and we see that too so kudos to Bryan for really making this as close to real life as a comic book can get.
Dave does some incredible work on the interiors here. For me personally it has that feel that the old Playboy strips had when it comes to how it looks. Which by the way is a huge compliment that I can give as those were some of the defining moments in my life sneaking a look at my dads magazines. His eye for storytelling through the use of page layouts with their angles and perspective is strong. He brings emotion to the characters extremely well and that the individuality he gives each person showing off different types is superb. Also it doesn’t hurt that he can draw a nice penis either and doing that while not making it the focus, see first thing we notice, of what’s on the page.
The body types, ages and ethnicities we see here are as diverse as the real world is. Bryan’s willingness to tell a story that’s personal to him, showcasing that the sex trade industry isn’t that world the Republican’s make it out to be, then again most of them used this service so there’s that, full of rampant drug use, depravity and “recruitment.” You can tell this a personal story and he’s passionate about it and in all honesty I found this touching, honest, raw and real and it’s damn good. It’s nice to see that even comic books can be used to tell a story like this to educate and entertain a wide variety of people.
Go to the kickstarter page and support this please the world needs more voices like Bryan’s willing to do take a chance, do something new, for them, in something they’ve poured their heart and soul into. If Bryan took the time between what he does in real life he could write more comics because I tell ya I’d read them!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/honeybrute/velvet-collar-issue-1-unhappy-endings