Wormwood #2
Wormwood #2 © Chris Webster
| Wormwood #2 Chris Webster Links: Mail Chris |
Artist & writer Christopher Webster X Files (sorry!) type narrative parades a few fashionably gloomy pre-millennium themes; conspiracy theory, aberrant science & porno sex without developing into anything of real substance. Three of four somehow connected scenes weave in & out of each other but never outlive their momentary shock value. A porno star is mock-assassinated with a paint-ball gun, a scientist attempts to make contact with insect life by using his grotesquely enlarged brain as a bee hive, and in a weird (I think) dream sequence giant breasts decimate the Earth. (A few thousand people have already added Wormwood to their shopping list, I feel.)
Wormwood has a confident feel to it, the layouts and lettering look mainstream professional and the inking harsh ugly look that suits the material. Here and there though, the second-hand slickness, (Frank Miller and Guido Credax are mentioned on the letters page) can't disguise some basic weakness especially in anatomy and facial expression.
There are several evocative panels and effects, and it might all come to something around issue 10, but hey, remember - life is short.
Mark Robinson.
| Wormwood #2: 24 26x17.5cm Pages, 3 colour cover on thicker stock paper | Recieved at ZUM! HQ: no info |
£1.80 +P+P | Chris Webster, 13A Dulwich Rd, London, SE24 ONT |