Thursday 17 March 2016

Review: The Deadbeat

Story and art: Jeremy Massie
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Currently available in March previews for print. Available on comixology (digital).

In a strange twist of fortuitous circumstance, I had just finished re-reading the deadbeat when I got an e-mail from Alterna, with a review copy and information that The Deadbeat is available in March previews. So it's rather fresh in my memory. 

Now I did a review of the AnniverSERIES edition of this a little while back, which can be found here http://retrogradereview.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/review-deadbeat-anniverseries-edition.html?m=1 and pretty much sums up the book well. The main point being that you should go and buy it. 

The title sums up the premise pretty well, The Deadbeat tells the tale of a down and out ex-superhero who tries to reconnect with his daughter when she unexpectedly crashes back into his life. Massie leaves a lot of himself in this work, like this was a matter of catharsis for him, that makes for delicate and emotional reading; which is only a positive thing. When you read the story, you become instantly sympathetic with the protagonist and his struggle. The fact that Massie generates that kind of connection is testament to his prowess as a storyteller. 
Adjunct to the excellent storytelling is Massie's art, he works in perfect synthesis with himself. I've often thought that it is a tremendous advantage if you are able to both write and draw your own work (in some ways anyway, I could write a rather lengthy essay on the odd connection between writer and artist (and inker and colourist and letterer)) Massie proves the point here with his sublime artwork. I feel I repeat myself in some of these articles, harping on about sequential art and such things, but oh well. Massie tells his story well, the art is consistent, the panels well spaced and the story well paced.

I can't stress enough how much I enjoyed this book, so seriously consider giving it a look, you're missing out if you don't.

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