Comics
Review: ‘Shaolin Cowboy’ # 2
Geof Darrow’s ‘Shaolin Cowboy’ defies explanation. After the first issue I found myself joyously scratching my head as to where the narrative was heading in issue two. This month I have my answer, and it’s one of the boldest issues of a comic I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading, I’m just not sure if it’s good for everyone.
WRITTEN BY: Geof Darrow
ART BY: Geof Darrow
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: November 13, 2013
I’m all for over the top action scenes. In fact I’ll be the first guy to pour over them meticulously and enjoy every bit of them after the dust has settled. But, I’ve never seen an issue of a comic entirely devoted to one smooth effort of execution.
This month Geof Darrow solidifies the insanity of ‘Shaolin Cowboy’ by giving an issue entirely centered around exactly that: one continuous action scene.
The titular cowboy finds himself lost in a sea of zombies. Surrounded on every side he does the only thing any of us would do, he picks up his long stick with chainsaws on either end and destroys everything around him.
Darrow’s incredibly detailed art makes this effort a total joy to look at. The cowboy starts to spin on page one, and by the end of the issue he’s still spinning within a circle of corpses. All the while though, we’re treated to an absolute symphony of death that communicates just how powerful the cowboy is.
The entire issue dizzies as you read it, because the motion never stops. Darrow finds new and exciting ways to cut bodies to pieces and the sheer insanity of the premise never lets up for a second. Every page is seemingly more detailed than the last and it’s almost impossible to fathom how Darrow planned this issue out.
Every single page save for the first consisted of two panels spread across two pages working as long horizontal splashes. It creates the feeling of being surrounded but also gives the insane chainsaw tool some room to move. Obviously the issue moves with nothing but the utmost pace, you have nothing standing in your way from blowing through this issue within about 30 seconds.
However, if you take your time and truly appreciate what every panel has to offer you’ll notice a intricately planned action scene with some of the best, most detailed art comics has to offer.
There’s not much more to say than that. Story is non-existent here. Pick this issue up and marvel at Darrow’s work, but don’t expect much more than a visual feast.
Rating: 3/5 Skulls.
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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