Written by: Nikola Jajic - Art by: Sergio Giardo, Rick Hershey, Bob Cram, Cliff Kurowski - Letters by: Michael Czerniawski - Alterna Comics.
There is something amusing and timeless about various gods and goddess bickering in their pantheons. Perhaps because each of these deities personify a merit and flaw within our humanity; or, is it something even more basic and primal. Do we like seeing these one-time religious rulers taken down a peg or two because there ain’t nothing better than stickin’ it to the man… Real or imagined!
The Big Bad Book takes that concept and ratchets it to, well not quiet 11, but lands in the upper 8 region. The Big Bad Book opens with the time-honored tradition within mythical writing. That rat bastard Loki is up to no good again, at the expense of the lovable but rather dim-witted Thor; and guess what? Yup, us mortals are gonna’ get stuck in the middle of their spat. In this case, one rather average cubicle jockey by the name of Jim. - Quick side note, those that are easily offended should probably avoid this book and this review. We’re both about to get into some smelly and stank shit. Literally.
See, it turns out Thor is a giant animal buggerer and Loki likes to collect the hammered ones exploits in book form. Think Kitty Kelly, but without all the neck waddle. While most of these mythical gods like to do the Asgard Tango with mortals, Thor likes the wild side of Earth. The more legs and fur, the better. (It would explain his dad’s horse, but I digress). Loki knows this, writes everything down in a book and plans mass distribution among all the other pantheons of the world. Odin is not a fan of this, as he’s already thought of as something of a putz with the other bolt tossers. The plan is simple, whomever can convince poor Jim to give them the book wins it forever and may do what they wish with it. One catch, they can’t just walk up and say “Hi, my name is Loki. You may know me from various role playing games, Norwegian Metal lyrics, and the pending bad guy in Marvel’s The Siege. I’d like to talk with you about sharing and caring…No? Gimme’ that book”! (And Thor, um… “Hail, mortal. Like my hammer?”). So, they each choose the others physical form to enter the mortal place. Thor makes Loki a clown cause, um, well cause Thor ain’t that bright. Loki makes Thor a monkey because that is just good storytelling.
If this review sounds a tad coy, it is intentional. The story is rather straightforward in its presentation and execution. That isn’t to say this is a bad thing. Nikola does tell a rather humorous story, even if it is something we’ve read a few times before. Imagine if Vertigo’s Greek Street and Jack of Fables had a wacky uncle, that would be The Big Bad Book. The moments where one sees Nikola’s potential for storytelling comes whenever he leaves his main characters aside and hangs out with the other gods. I love the image of Zeus cutting a three-picture deal because he likes to hump it out with celebrities (even though it violates the Pantheon Control Act). I chuckle at Odin having to put on a needless eye-patch to maintain his street cred. Balder fishing in Odin’s Koi Pond or Shiva banging four gavels in God Court. These are the moments with Nikola truly shines and I hope he continues down that path.
The art is hit and miss for me. I’m not sure if the four artists were used out of necessity or stylistic reasons; but it got a tad disorienting. Each chapter required the reader to reconnect with the character and for a few panels, can throw you off a bit. That being said, each artist had a distinct style that helps the rather goofy nature of The Big Bad Book. Sergio Giardo and Cliff Kurowski really stand out to me and lend a bit more “color” to this outlandish tale; Rick Hershey and Bob Cram have a style that might lend themselves to grittier tales. I do hope all the talented folks keep working on their craft, there is serious potential in all of them and I will certainly look for any new projects with their names on it.
In all The Big Bad Book is locker room humored trip through the absurd and bizarre… With devious clowns and thunder-powered monkeys. Gotta’ love that!
You can learn more about The Big Bad Book at the Alterna Comics Website. Finally, all you budding comic book creators. You too can take a shot at selling your comic to the wanting masses. Just click on the banner below and submit your book to the Things From Another World Indy Comic Week event!
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