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HOPELESS SAVAGES: GROUND ZERO #1
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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Oni Press
Writer: Jen Van Meter
Artists: Bryan O'Malley & Christine Norrie
Letters: Bryan O'Malley & Matty Ryan
Editor: Jamie S. Rich
Price: $2.95 US/$4.50 CAN |
A stronger focus on characterization continues to bring out the best in this property. Van Meter takes unusual characters and shows us that regardless of an individual's idiosyncracies, there's always a familiar emotional core that drives them forward. Skank Zero and Ginger's may employ a more colorful flair for language than the rest of us, but there's a universal, touching quality in their dynamic. It makes for a fantastic read.
Zero gets caught trying to steal and destroy the video crew's tape of her confession regarding her feelings for Ginger, a bookish but clever boy at school. Zero's frustrations bring her into conflict with her mother, who's having a tough time with the fact that she sees so much of herself in Zero and fears she'll make the same mistakes. Meanwhile, the other members of the Hopeless-Savages clan remind Zero of her first encounter with Ginger, back when they were both seven years old.
O'Malley's squat, simple style is surprisingly effective in conveying this slice-of-life story. He captures Zero and Ginger's youth and innocence, as well as the complexities of emotion that they experience. Nikki's emotional anguish really comes out, but O'Malley doesn't go too over the top with it. I have to admit, though, that as with other Hopeless Savages issues, I enjoyed the flashback art -- provided by Christine Norrie this time around -- more. She brings out the irreverent nature of the title characters nicely, and there's a greater level of detail and less exaggeration that reinforces the down-to-earth tone.
One can't help but be drawn into Zero and Ginger's story, but it's our story as well. Van Meter taps into that universal awkwardness of trying to foster a potentially romantic connection with another, and the universality of it isn't limited to adolescence. Hell, I'm 31, and I still go through that infuriating embarrassment and goofiness. It's a particularly interesting experience for Zero, who's used to an atmosphere of confidence, independence and blunt honesty.
While this is Skank Zero's story, what's really got me intrigued is her mother's emotional turmoil. It seems to me that something big is brewing within her, and she's headed for a meltdown that her family just doesn't see coming. Nikki seems to be the one member of the clan who has doubt and shame hidden within her, and I'm curious to see how far Van Meter will explore it.
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