A History Of Violence

[Owen Heitmann]

I've been a freelance writer for Rip it Up magazine (street press from Adelaide, South Australia - www.ripitup.com.au) for about five years, mainly doing CD and gig reviews. However, recently I've been given the opportunity to review some graphic novels. The word limit, and the fact that the mag is aimed at a general audience not necessarily familiar with comics, means that the reviews aren't particularly in-depth, but I still thought it might be worthwhile posting the reviews here for them to reach a wider audience. Here's the first review, as I submitted it (the final line about Pulp Fiction Comics is a nod to the local shop that supplied the review copies). This was published in the issue for the week of June 9-15.

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
Written by John Wagner, Art by Vince Locke (Paradox Press) 286pgs
Tom McKenna is a conservative middle American, living a quiet existence with his wife and two children in a small rural town. When he foils an attempted robbery by murderous thugs, however, he’s hailed as a hero, and his face is splashed across newspapers country-wide. But certain people from his colourful youth recognise him whom he would prefer hadn’t, and soon he finds himself forced into a tense, deadly game of cat and mouse.
This graphic novel written by John Wagner is a far cry from his most famous creation, Judge Dredd. Englishman Wagner has penned a convincingly American story of mobsters, revenge, secret pasts, and the lengths a man will go to in order to protect his family. Vince Locke’s scratchy black and white line-work anchors the story in reality and moves the narrative along at a rapid pace towards its chilling final act. It’s a claustrophobic, engrossing thriller that reads like a movie, and it’s no surprise that it’s now been made into a feature film by director David Cronenberg.
A History Of Violence is available from Pulp Fiction Comics, 34A King William St, Adelaide.

Owen Heitmann
Artist/co-writer, 5031

[DJ Kenobi]

Howdy, welcome to Penciljack Comics Analysis. I understand that the magazine may have a word limit, but we don't. Could you please add more to your review? The lack of depth really makes this less of a review and more of a self-promotion piece, which would therefore belong in the Bulletin Board where it would still reach the wider audience that you’re looking for. For it to be in Comics Analysis I would prefer some more detail. And don’t worry about letting out some plot point, as long as you warn for spoilers ahead of time.

Thanks.