SWEET TOOTH #2
What did the
iFanboy
community think?
Pulls
Size: pages
Price: 2.99
My first introduction into the work of Jeff Lemire was a great start. Sweet Tooth had a strong first chapter and it helped that it was a cheap issue at that. Lemire’s dark world of a planet Earth gone to hell and bizarre half human/half animal creatures was definitely promising. Now we’re on the second issue, which is more nerve racking then the first. Now Lemire has to keep our interest with this book and work his butt off since he does all of the pencils in this as well. Is the second issue another soild outing?
Well it’s a little bit yes and no for me. The idea of this world Lemire has created is definitely interesting. Maybe it’s me but I love apocolyptic settings; from zombies to nuclear fallout I am in on that type of stuff. Gus aka Sweet Tooth is also a good character in himself. He does have a lot of faith in God and because he has never step foot out in the real world; he is experencing much of this planet as we are. Then we get a little glimpse at who or what the people might be towards the end of this. I won’t give away what they are, but I like the idea if there are gangs like this all over.
Then there is the big problem with this for me. I know Lemire has written a good amount of work before this, but I don’t know if he can handle writing in issue format. He’s repeating the same things over and over again; plus his characters outside of Gus are very one dimensional. This brute that helps Gus certainly isn’t going to win awards for best new character that’s for sure. Plus to me, there was way to much cursing in this. Now I know it’s a Vertigo book and cursing in comics are pretty common now. But the use of the work ‘fuck’ got annoy with me real quick. It’s a bleak world to be sure, but this isn’t a Uwe Bolle film is you get my drift.
Lemire’s artwork in this is also a bit suspect for me. Again I have no doubt all of his work done in one trade looks great. But this just feels rushed to me. The layouts are rough and his character models are really sketchy as well. Maybe that’s how he’s always like if your gonna say that to me, but right now I am not a huge fan of this. Lemire also needs to learn how to shade better in terms of shadows and darkness. Both Gus and the brute seemed to have big burly mustaches to me until I realize that’s suppose to be shadows.
For a second issue I gotta say I am a bit disappointed. I know I might be jumping to conclusions but I am very questionable on believing Lemire can keep this as a monthly series. Maybe if he only released this as a trade it would look better because he would have more time. As it stands I find this to be; light on story, heavy use of profanity, and rushed artwork. I’m still interested in this title and I will give this as much as a chance with any new book for me. (The first arc) Maybe this title would be trade waiting only for me, only time will tell.
Art: 3 - Good
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I too, was disappointed with this issue, but I didnt have the same problems with it that you did. I thought the art wasnt too bad, and that the character of Mr. Jeppard was intersting since he seemed like the kind of guy that had pretty much tired and pissed off at the world, but still wanted to help those that he could. I didnt like this issue as good as the first either though. I guess it was mostly because I didn’t really like the answers about the hybrid humans and things. I do enjoy the post apocalyptic setting, but I’m not sure that I like it on these terms.
@PunisherMAX: The pacing was a bit too slow for my liking as well. I’m not asking to rush or anything, but after two issues basically nothing has happened. Which can be annoying for some (i.e. me).
I completely disagree. Respectfully, of course.
There is certainly more to Jeppard than I think you caught on to. You have to look at what Lemire is doing with his facial expressions to catch on that the old fart is switching between caring for the boy and putting on a tough guy act. Even on the same page he shows real concern for Gus, then does a 180 and is tries to act like he doesn’t give a damn. He’s a conflicted character, and that is sure to be more evident as the series progresses.
As for the artwork, well Lemire’s work has always looked like that, and it’s damn pretty. I think it still might be a case of you not really used to his style. He isn’t rushing himself, that’s for sure. The guy is at least 6 months again on the book, so he is taking his sweet time on the art.
Still, a solid review that expressed your opinion. Good job
@drake: Your so kind, thank you!
But yeah I’m probably just not used to his art style. He might have a lot of time, but it still doesn’t look that good to me. Then the story…..maybe your right the guy did care more for Gus then he let on. Too bad he kicked the bucket at the very end, so no way to know for sure.
I’m willing to give this another issue or two; but I might be part of the wave or people out for trade on this.
I’m pretty sure he ain’t dead. I think Gus is gonna patch him up.
@drake: That’s a lot of blood lost. Plus if Gus never has done anything much outside his home….I have serious doubts if he can heal him. In fact it would be nice to see Gus not be able to save him; it would be realistic given the circumstances.
@TNC-He and his dad survived for years with no outside help, so I’m sure he taught him how to do patch up wounds. Also, Lemire has stated that Gus and old dude are gonna be together for a while.
I dont think there’s any way Mr. Jeppard is dead. He seems too important to the story and had too much personality to him to be killed so soon.
Also, I think it’s too soon for Gus to loose another person he thought of as being "close to". His death would have much morer emotional meaning in the comic if he died later, after Gus was much closer to him.
I’m with Drake in that I thought Lemire did a great job of exposing Jeppard for a hardened man who still can be hit with compassion. The page where he picks up Gus in the house is a fantastic display of compassion: Jeppard’s cold hard stare, Gus’ wide eyed fear and then Jeppard’s softened gaze as he recognizes how terrified of him this little boy is.
Maybe I lost all of this compassion when I read the countless times ‘fuck’ was used in a sentence.
I understand why he had Jeppard cursing quite a bit, but I’ll agree that it felt a bit forced the amount of times he did it.
The cursing did feel forced. I’m fine with cursing in a comic, just it has to be in the right places at the right times. A good example I think is Walking Dead. It feels natural there, to where as in this issue it just felt sort of out of place.
I think that people would probably curse a lot more when thery are living in post-apocalyptic isolation. I didn’t even notice the cursing. In fact, if someone had asked me, "Hey, is there cursing in this book?" I wouldn’t be able to answer the question.
@conor: Your right, in this setting probably people would be cursing a lot. With no moral ethics in a dead planet who would care if you say nasty things more often?
But I agree with @PunisherMax that in Walking Dead it kinda feel natural with the cursing. I don’t even think that comic uses swears as much as it used to. But with this second issue, it just felt like Lemire was adding the work ‘fuck’ in places that didn’t need to be. Considering how the first issue was, it definitely is a departure for the book. Then again that could be the point in making it feel different in Gus’s case.
I dont know, either way I just found the swearing in this to be a bit too much for my liking.
Fuckin’ shit, man. I don’t need no apocalypse to tell me it’s OK to fuckin’ curse. Fuck that.
@drake: I hope you don’t kiss your wife with that mouth. 🙂
That’s how this issue read by the way.