Spy Guy #1
Brant W. Fowler on the issue
First made available on 2009 FanExpo in Toronto in August, and then re-offered this week as part of Indy Comic Book Week, Spy Guy #1 launches the first salvo in a war waged against the status quo in our lives. But more on that in a minute.
Mike Kitchen is obviously a fan of Dave Sim as his art style very closely resembles that of Sim's creation, Cerebus. Whether that's a good thing or bad thing, I'll let you be the judge. But for me, having never read Cerebus but being familiar with the art style, I think it's a good thing in this particular story. The art is zany, a little comical, but has all the elements of realism and intense dramatic storytelling necessary to tell a story of this type. And what is that story? It's a spy story, obviously,with a bit of a noir feel to it, but set in modern times, if a little bit exaggerated.
We don't get bombarded with history or background in this issue, but instead are taken right into the middle of an already ongoing sequence where a heist is trying to be prevented. On the ride there, while all around is chaos, Spy Guy and a compatriate are waiting in the back of a truck on their way to their destination. In this quiet side scene we immediately are made aware of the tone of the book as the conversation gets deep and philosophical without feeling as such. The book itself is no less than a social commentary on modern society, but it is wrapped neatly and nicely into a fun and entertaining story that one could enjoy as is or look into the deeper underlying subtext that exists for those that wish to.
Now, the manifest in the back of the issue is a little more upfront about the book and the publisher's intentions, which lie heavily on supporting the arts and following one's dreams as opposed to becoming another cog in the soulless machine that is the typical labor force in the world today. But this manifest could be taken literally or as a part of the story itself as it fits both in different ways. Whether you agree with the manifest or not, though, you have to give credit to the writer for the intricate thought process that provides the foundation for Spy Guy and the Ultraist Comics Group in general. It's not often we see such knowledge and information, as well as hunger and passion for a cause breathed into a work of this kind. And the way this work is presented, where, as mentioned before, it doesn't bang you over the head with it (in the context of the story at least), is just masterful and provides a deeper level of the story if you so desire to have one. But again, as mentioned before, you can freely enjoy just the story alone and all it's excellent storytelling in the written and illustrated form without giving a second thought to any agenda proposed.
As noir stories make their way back into our reading circles and come once again to the forefront of storytelling, fans of such a genre would be remiss in not checking out Spy Guy if only for its nod to that genre. It is true to the foundations of noir while taking it to a modern place to make it unique in and of itself with the marriage of these concepts and the stylistic art style used to convey the story.
If you didn't take advantage of Indy Comic Book Week, you should seek out this and other wonderful titles that were offered to various shops this week, including books like Omnitarium, Turbulence and The Green Monk to name a few. Check out www.indycomicbookweek.com for more information on those titles as well as Spy Guy, a title deserving of Hot Shot of the Week!
Written by: Mike Kitchen
Pencils by: Mike Kitchen
Published by: Ultraist Comics Group
Deep in the midst of a police sting operation targeting contraband being smuggled across the United States of America and Canadian boarder, things take a dramatic turn for the worse as the shipment is hijacked by two shadowy villains. Part mystery, part action-adventure, part social commentary, part satire, all fun! Also contains the 16 page essay "The Ultraist Manifesto".
PRICE: $2.95
IN STORES: December 30, 2009
blog comments powered by Disqus