Graphic Content: A Mid-Ohio-Con Find

Rock and Roll Death Wagon by Cat and Edward Part 1 and 2 (of 4)

Edward James Noel (nee Bolman) and Cat Noel, Fanatic Press, 2008

 

Tattoos have gone from the bodies of salty sea dogs, hard edged bikers, creepy carnival carnies, rabid rock stars and women of ill repute to as common as McDonald’s. Push up the sleeves or check out the backs of your teacher, your doctor or your mail carrier and you will probably find one (I have two and I am planning on getting more). Shows following tattoo artists fill the airways. Tattoo has gone from rebellion to fashion to expression. Rock and Roll Death Wagon follows a character looking for expression. Delaine is the multi tattooed heroine who finds herself directionless in Wisconsin, living with a crazy mother and a stoned brother. She is looking for any sort of out and finds it at a tattoo convention in Orson, a perpetually sunglassed and black clothed tattoo artist, who she follows to his North Hollywood Tattoo shop and Delaine finds a new cast of characters that make her look like the most normal and secure person alive by comparison. Be it Scratch the wacky apprentice, Ivy the wacked out of her head tattoo artist, or Dr. Fay, the whack job dentist, through them Delaine finds herself being pulled away from where she thought she was going and being pushed into a different life. The beginning pages of the story imply that there will be an unfortunate conclusion to Delaine’s adventure but for these two issues she is mostly an observer and commentator to the craziness around her.

 

The art in the story is an interesting mix of simple and detailed. It uses limited line work but heavily employs strong shading techniques that give the panels a unique texture. The overall effect helps convey the seediness and inner darkness inherent in every character and every corner. A big surprise artistically is available on the back cover. The Soonday Moonday series of alphabet cards offers art and a brief rhyme that I would love to see as an independent series. They do seem a little out of place with this story but were an enjoyable surprise none the less.

 

This book deals with some adult themes and images, so it is definitely not for the kids and it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but much like a tattoo, you have to look at it closely to really appreciate it for all it is.  

 

 

 

Learn more at

www.fanaticpress.com

 

 

John Wilson - After slaving away in retail for a decade or so, John Wilson has taken his life long love for comics and how they are made and has pursued two distinctly different avenues: one as a high school art teacher, always on the lookout to cultivate the next great comic artist and the other, as a creator himself, currently concentrating on his writing, although he still is willing to pick up a crowquill (or mouse) in times of need. John is one of the moderators on the Art Unleashed forum for Sketch Magazine and Blue Line Pro. As for Comics Related, John is explains tha he's just really excited to be part of the team.