Broken Frontier

An experience unlike any other.

A.K.A. is a foul mouthed, bloody, and eccentric blast of a comic.  Channeling the black comedy of low-budget grindhouse films and crime stories, A.K.A. packs punches across several genres.  With several funny and vulgar “coming attractions” leading readers into the main A.K.A. story, the experience of reading the title is unlike almost any other book on the market.

The previews that precede the main affair are offensive to say the least, but in a completely hilarious black comedy fashion.  Make no mistake, if one is easily offended, perhaps this is not the book for you.  For those lucky enough to find themselves in possession of a mature funny bone, however, they will be treated to several brief stories that are hilarious in their own right.  The standout preview, however, is Black Sheep White Wolf written by Joe Kelly; the tale of a black preacher’s blessed revenge upon several racist priests.  If the prospect of a priest, dressed in sacred garb, unleashing holy hell from a crossed-shaped shotgun piques immediate interest, A.K.A. is surely the title for you.

The Steve Walters penned “feature presentation” is a much more straight-forward and focused story than the several small tales before it, though not lacking in subtle humor.  This fun crime story focuses on Guy, an enforcer in the Luciano crime syndicate, who is tasked with cleaning up the massive mess left by “The Black Terror,” A.K.A. Adrian Truelove.  Truelove is a fantastic character, with everything from his appearance to his stereotypical infamy crafted to perfection.   Guy, on the other hand, is a surprisingly complex character with many layers, equal parts ruthless criminal and child protector.  With the two leading men’s paths now interconnected, there is no telling what explosions are likely to happen next.

Bringing such great characters to life is Rob Reilly, whose stylized art sets the perfect tone for A.K.A.  Not only do the characters and settings looks fantastic, but Reilly’s panel structures are oftentimes creative and well planned.  A church scene, for example, uses a cross shaped structure that not only advances the story, but breaks the mold for page layouts.  Reilly’s art, in more ways than one, keeps each page fresh and interesting.

A.K.A. is certainly an experience to behold.  The grindhouse formula, with “previews” and a “main feature” is unlike any book on the stands.  Steve Walters and Rob Reilly have created a unique blend of grindhouse, crime, and humor that is sure to please less serious readers. For those willing to take a chance on some quite vulgar yet hilarious stories, A.K.A. can be found on Graphicly.com.