Better Comics
Story and Art: JE Smith
Price: $2.50 US
Reviewed by: Sidra Roberts
Okay, I know you people read me, even though you never
write me. I want each and every one of you ( yeah,
you trying to cower in the back corner out of my glare...
I mean you, too) to run, not walk, not mosey, not
meander down to your local comic shop where ever it
may be and tell them you want issues 1-4 of Complex
City. RIGHT NOW! What are you waiting for? GO GO
GO! What?!?!?! You actually want me to tell you about
the books first?!?!?!?!?!?! Okay, okay fine, but you
go order them afterward, you hear? If your
comic pusher tells you he or she cant order them, go
to
and e-mail JE Smith about buying the first four issues from him, got it? Good,
now that you understand me, on with the show!
First, let me start by saying that this book rivals
Transmetropolitan in terms of brilliance, originality, and
scope. Yes, Im invoking the word rivals in reference to
Transmet, you know this has to be a pretty awesome
book. NO, it is NOT like Transmet; its as innovative
as Transmet. This book has fresh ideas, great plot,
underlying mystery, and no matter what JE Smith says
in my interview with him, the art perfectly accompanies
the story.
Issue four opens up with exposition about an urban
legend in Complex City known as Crazy Quilt. Crazy
Quilt has made an appearance again this time at the
scene of the crime that the main character, Bulldog
Mallone, was assigned to in the very first issue of
Complex City. Apparently, Crazy Quilt ran off with the
stick the alien was holding in the first book.
In this issue, Bulldog Mallone explores the possibility
that there really is a Crazy Quilt and that he really did
run off with the alien stick. While the cliffhanger
ending of issue four is broadcast from very early in
the book, the implications of the whole story arc
remains a mystery. Bulldog has annoyed the aliens
and the vampires. The book that was seemingly
destroyed last issue was actually transported
somewhere else. Everyone wants that book and no one
wants anyone else to have it. Where is the book?
What does it do? Who is Crazy Quilt? What does HE
want? What implications do all of these questions
have? I have no clue where Smith is going with all of
this and I like it. Theres something deeper going on
in Complex City than just the obvious. I can see
that, Bulldog can see that, but neither he nor I know
what it is.
The series itself is littered with humor, intrigue,
and action. I dont understand why its sales arent
through the roof. Its a great series. I like it,
Joe Singleton likes it, and Jamie Coville likes it.
Im positive that Madame Editor, Oh-Queen-of-the-Bullwhip,
will like it once she has
the time to sit down and read it. Im even willing to
bet youll like it, if you give it a shot. So come
on, buy one of the best books out right now. Take the
chance! Buy the book today.!