A decade ago, I wouldn't have given Shuck a second look. Indie comics weren't my thing, though I deemed my comics reading habits as diverse since I was into DC's Vertigo line in addition the regular dosage of super-heroics. I've changed significantly in those 10 years, and my reading habits are among those changes. Quirky, small-press properties that I'd casually ignore now pique my interest, and Shuck is one of those little treasures I've had the fortune of discovering through my role as a comics critic. It's a magical and engaging story full of innocence and cynicism, but the greatest characteristic of Shuck is that it can genuinely boast what only a scant number of other comics can: it's unique.
A demon named Shuck, who collected souls for his master in Hell, leaves that infernal life behind after losing his ladylove, and he retires to a quiet existence on Earth in a small suburb. Disguising his inhuman nature with a crude mask, Shuck passes himself off as a kindly old man in the neighborhood, befriending all around him, including an unusual little girl. Ghosts --literally -- from his past come back to haunt him, though, as he desperately tries to move on with his life and fit in.
One of my favorite things about the individual issues of Shuck Comics was the parchment-like quality of the paper on which they were printed. Sadly, that thick grade of paper didn't make its way into this collected edition. That's not a complaint, mind you, but it is unfortunate readers of the trade paperback won't get to enjoy that standout production value, which added to the mythic, storybook quality of the series.
On the other hand, this collection includes new material, a couple of extra chapters that didn't see print in the episodic format. That gives those of us who did enjoy the regular series a chance to discover new characters and plotlines in this new volume.
Smith and Menesse challenge their readers to decipher the morals of the various stories and to puzzle through the phonetic dialogue. Shuck is not an easy read, but it's one that envelops the reader. The unusual, crude dialogue and spellings make for surprisingly engaging reading. There's a maturity and reflective tone in the storytelling overall, and it's surprisingly easy to relate to the demonic title character.
The maturity is balanced by a refreshingly sweet and innocent tone throughout the book as well. That innocence is reflected in the simplicity in the character designs and settings. Nevertheless, Smith's style, which could be described as crude by some, is thoroughly effective in establishing a dark and supernatural mood in key scenes.
