Wormwood - Gentleman Corpse #1

Genre horror Author Ben Templesmith Publisher IDW Publishing External Links Official Ben Templesmith Website Official IDW Publishing Website

Wormwood - Gentleman Corpse introduces us to a new comic full of interesting new characters that is explained effectively - by the characters no less - to get you to understand what is going on. It is a well thought out presentation with crafty art that combines unique styles to great effect.

The principal characters - Wormwood, Phoebe, and Mr. Pendulum - are introduced to us right away. And while the purpose of the entity inhabiting Wormwood is not fully revealed, we learn that he tends to attract large tentacled monsters and assists with investigations of the like that prey on innocent civilians. He is funny, sarcastic and quite knowledgeable, as he obviously knows more about Phoebe than we do at this point, and knows how it will help him.

What Phoebe knows about Wormwood is that he pays really well and seems to attract large monsters. We learn further revelations when she does as the adventure unfolds. However, we are currently left in the dark about The Sisterhood and Phoebe's tattoos that come to life. Mr. Pendulum is silent but deadly and he can take quite a beating. From the art I discovered he has a pendulum for his insides or has a tattoo of one on his chest and stomach. I am leaning toward his insides since he's "got no bits." The mystery surrounding these two is surely forthcoming and does not detract from the story at all.

The new "case" villain reminded me a little too much of the famed Alien character from the movies. It is especially close in the design of the head and the "birth" method, but it can be overlooked for now. The rest of the characters are unique and interesting. I trust Templesmith will be crafting some differently designed monsters in the future.

The art, given to dark colors and heavy shading, carries the mood splendidly. The panels are often one or two colors with the pencils of high quality with alternating detail and shadowy imagery. The colors used help emphasize an action or highlight a character or thing, if necessary. It is a style not often used, if ever, but utilized by Templesmith to great effect. Further, the use of red line drawings of the phoenix - just a guess since I have not fully grasped what these are yet - on top of the other art in the Phoebe fight panel to show both their uniqueness and what is going on behind them is pure genius. I loved it! It really gives a creative artistic edge to Templesmith and this comic. My one complaint was with the bedspread from the mauled couple. It seemed way too neat for the action taking place and should have been more disheveled.

Using the printing process to enhance features on the cover was clever, for it was the shiny cover that caught my eye. Now though, it is the story inside that has my attention. Wormwood is an engrossing tale of a symbiotic detective and tattoos that come to life. Ben Templesmith shows he has a real panache for what he is doing artistically and is a creatively effective storyteller. This comic is a definite must read and see.