Bump #1
Written & Drawn by: Mark Kidwell
Colors by: Jay Fotos
Published by: Fangoria Comics
Review by: Brian Matus
Categories - Marketers love them, because most consumers use them when
shopping, and most creators hate them for the very same reason, or because
it's an easy way to dismiss something without giving it much thought.
With that, Bump is undeniably a horror comic. This unfortunately puts
Bump in the same category as Blade, Marvel Zombies and most of Avatar's
comics.
These are not accurate comparisons. Bump is neither a superhero comic,
a superhero/horror parody, nor a 'sexploitation horror' comic.
(I know Avatar publishes comics outside of the 'sexploitation horror'
genre, because I buy a number of Avatar titles, but for people who don't,
this is the generalization that's usually applied.)
Bump could be considered a 'supernatural slasher', in the vein of Friday
the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street, though we only get subtle hints of
the supernatural towards the end of this issue.
We also don't have a lumbering, silent killer, a killer cracking jokes
in-between kills or even just one supernatural killer.
And then there's the 'tree-huggers'...
Talking about the 'tree-huggers' (a term used by the Mark Kidwell, but
not in the book) in any significant way gives away too much of the rest
of the story. Suffice it to say that based upon the 'tree-hugger' on the
cover, when they come into play later in the story, it's going to be messy.
I'd also advise you to be aware of character's facial expressions, which
provide clues to the subtext behind what's being said. Coming from Fangoria,
who's been covering horror cinema for over 20 years, it shouldn't be surprising
that Bump uses cinematic techniques like this.
The art is horrific in the most complimentary sense of the word, with
a few nods to Tim vigil, probably best known for Faust from Rebel Studios.
For those who are familiar, Bump's art is more reminiscent of Vigil's
work on Gunfighters in Hell and Gothic Nights.
For those of you unfamiliar, this is pretty high praise.
Getting back to the writing, the dialog feels natural, and the pacing
keeps the story moving, giving just enough information to keep the reader
'up to speed'.
If you're looking for a horror comic that's more 'horrific' than 'comical',
get Bump #1.
5 out of 5 Bloody Tree-huggers
Contact Brian Matus.
Talk about the Bump
#1 Review.
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