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POUNDED #2 (Best of the Week!)
Highly Recommended (10/10)
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Oni Press
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist/Letters: Steve Rolston
Editor: James Lucas Jones
Price: $2.95 US/$4.50 CAN |
I have a number of personal philosophies I've developed over my 30-plus years. One of those guiding principles is simple: people suck. It's not that people are rotten by nature; it's just easier. I know what you're thinking... what a terribly cynical viewpoint. I agree. Fortunately, I have other philosophies that contradict (yet compliment) that one.
Wood explores human nature and its less attractive qualities in this over-the-top but still grounded story. He paints some vivid pictures of these characters, but he uses shades of grey. The characters are despicable yet sympathetic all at once, and it makes for an entertaininglu conflicted read.
A few months after Heavy Parker's one-time girlfriend went off to college, Heavy throws another one of his patented parties, mainly to distract himself from a less-than-smooth radio interview. The party is as fun as ever... until Missy, that formerly innocent flower that loved Heavy, returns to town, with some rather burly New York friends in tow. Parker is kicked out of his own pad while Missy and her friends trash the joint.
This issue stands out as the strongest work we've seen from Rolston. It's difficult to sum up his art. It boasts a soft, humanizing and expressive quality, but there's an intensity and edge to it as well. His detailed approached and Vancouver landscapes and skyscapes really bring the story to life.
Heavy Parker isn't a bad guy... he's just a short-sighted hedonist. He's always living in the moment, never giving a thought to how his enjoyment of one moment might make the next one a pain in the ass. Despite his flaws, one can't help but feel for Heavy. The punishment seems to far outweigh his "crimes." One can't help but detest the New York thugs who tear apart his life for no good reason.
On the other hand, one is torn, well aware that Parker has earned at least of his punishment. He treated Missy as a plaything, not a person. He's a blowhard and a poser. Missy's destruction of his home comes off as justified, because as anyone can see, Parker didn't just treat her poorly, he robed her of her innocence. However, Missy's inclusion of her muscular entourage in her vengeful rampage crosses a line.
In the end, this is a uniquely harsh story about a bunch of people who have a lot of growing up to do. But at the same time, Wood and Rolston seem to be extolling the virtues of occasional irresponsibility and irreverence, of just having fun. Ultimately, I hope we'll see Heavy achieve some sort of balance between the two concepts.
Email Don MacPherson comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.
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