Broken Frontier

Billy the Kid's Old Timey Oddities: Ghastly Fiend of London #1 is one of those books that from the outset doesn’t bother trying to hide its true nature. If the title doesn’t at the very least evoke a smile, then this probably isn’t the book for you. However, if you enjoy deliriously entertaining books then step forward, this is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Eric Powell has been known for having a twisted sort of mind, and this outing is no exception. Billy the Kid has found himself back in Victorian times and wound up on the case for Jack the Ripper… only the world is also now inhabited by mutated people, which are of course no safer from Billy’s brash and snide way of communicating.

It’s a genuinely funny comic throughout: the writing is tight and snappy and Powell’s voice carries over perfectly to the setting and story. Some writers tend to write British characters exactly as they would American, but Powell chucks that outta the window and dives right into creating an overly elaborate and a beyond parody version of 19th Century England that is just a pleasure to jump into.

The art fits the writing style perfectly. Kyle Hotz has drawn up some dark moody visuals that complement the era and the Jack the Ripper story while still carrying a cartoonish edge that brings everything in line with the ridiculousness of having Billy the Kid there. The mutants themselves have their personalities drawn to life, managing to look underpinned with sadness and monstrosity yet fit into the world so believably.

Of all the books you can buy in September, this is definitely one you should consider. It’s fun from start to finish and as an extra incentive Powell has written in a The Goon back up story that was just as entertaining as the rest. I look forward to seeing where this goes next… you should too.