Advance Review: Dying is Easy #1 (of 5)
As a truism, “dying is easy, comedy is hard” is probably one of the most well known ones about the business of show. It is not surprising then that even though there are dark horror elements in play in this new mini-series from IDW Publishing, thanks to the inclusion of co-creator and writer Joe (Locke and Key) Hill, there is also some very dark comedic moments; not all of them are actually on the stage.
Syd “Sh*t-Talk” Homes is a retired homicide detective. He is out to make a name for himself on the comedy circuit. As a stand up comedian, he utilises a range of unique observations garnered from years on the job. However there is a fly in his beer soaked ointment in the fact fellow comedian and competition Carl Dixon is about to hit the big time. If that’s not bad enough, Dixon is a self-aware, self-confessed joke thief; stealing the best work of the odd gaggle of comedians that inhabit the club in that strange twilight that only seems to exist in clubs that are darker inside than the daylight fading exterior. Syd is known for his past cop life, so when he asked to find a hit-man to take out Dixon once and for all, Syd already has price in mind. The things people will do for a bucket of wings!
Joe Hill has crafted a character that is as flawed as any you will see in any comic book. Syd has issues to say the least. I am a big fan of the Bosch books from Michael Connelly and if I have learned anything from those adventures it’s that every detective is scared, be it the scars of the ones that got away, or even the ones that didn’t. In Syd, Hill has a character in which he can make some clear comments regarding some of the societal woes that have made headlines over the last couple of years. Syd has a crew of sorts, where difference of opinion is greeted with a veneer of humour that may be a tad to close to the knuckle for some readers. Be warned, there is humour in misery and make no mistake, Syd leads a life of misery.
The art is supplied by co-creator Martin (Punks Not Dead) Simmonds, who delivers a style that is as observational in setup and stage presence as Hill’s writing. The book is dialogue heavy, which means we are in 9 panel pages for the “set” elements. This does segue into a more open style at times, which does help the pacing of the book and the various conversations that occur. Simmonds offers a stylized version of comedy club slash strip joint that reeks of atmosphere, “All the blue light reflections that color my mind” is a great lyric from Mrs Potter’s Lullaby by Counting Crows that perfectly describes Dee Cunniffe color scheme. In fact, I would say that it is Cunniffe’s colors that actually make the art. Washed out schemes reflect the washed out careers of Syd and his gang; drab colors are used for other characters indicating how Syd perhaps views them in his own life. Finally, letterer Shawn Lee has to contend with a lot of text and does so admirably. The font used doesn’t lend itself well to jokes to be honest; there is very little emphasis on words to help the reader. But that is the actual point of some of the “gags”.
For fans of Hill’s previous work, this feels a tad different. Despite an obvious trope in play, Hill and Simmonds have created a murder mystery that is engrossing, in a morbidly acute slice of a life lost and damaged way, that may very well prove the “dying is easy” truism.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars
Overall – 5 Stars
Co-created & Written by; Joe Hill
Co-created and Art by; Martin Simmonds
Colors by; Dee Cunniffe
Letters by; Shawn Lee
Published by; IDW Publishing
Dying is Easy #1 is out in shops on December 11th.
Dying is easy will be available for purchase here at IDW Publishing and wherever print and digital comics are sold. Or, support your local comic shops using www.comicshoplocator.com.
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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