Monday 17 October 2011

Books: Sweet Tooth

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Sweet Tooth
Vol 1: Out of the Woods
By Jeff Lemire

2010



Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/


Sweet Tooth
Vol 2: In Captivity
By Jeff Lemire

2010




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Sweet Tooth
Vol 3: Animal Armies
By Jeff Lemire

2011




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
 http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Sweet Tooth
Vol 4: Endangered Species
By Jeff Lemire

2012




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/


Gus is a naive 9-year-old waif with antlers growing out the side of his head living in a savage post-apocalyptic world where danger lurks around each and every corner.

Combining the desolation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road with the sweet-eyed cuteness of Disney (albeit in a twisted and mutated form): Sweet Tooth is a scrappily drawn saga full of slow-burning mysteries and moody atmospherics. The art feels a little too rushed and for my refined tastes - but speaking to other people there's a lot of love for this book. The main appeal that I can see is that it has that a television series structure which gives you just enough of small taste of a treat each time - whilst at all points promising big further rewards if you're willing to stay the course. Also: the minimal-dialogue and unfussy and mostly empty page set out means that it's very very quick to read - which (I dunno) could be considered a plus. Somehow. Maybe.

You can figure out every character arc from their first introduction (Hard Man with a Heart of Gold etc) and although it does twist the knife on plenty of occasions - it doesn't really find anywhere new to stick it in.

I'm probably going to keep reading it all the way to the end. But I'm always a bit of a glutton for punishment like that. But it does show that once you start - it's very tricky to give it up. Here's where I wrap it up with something about candy and - haha - having a Sweet Tooth.

Or not.

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Links: Sean T Collins Review of #1, Comic Book Resources Interview, Walker of Worlds Review of Vol 1 / Vol 2, Warren Peace Sings The Blues Review of Vol 3, Tearoom of Despair Article.

Further reading: Wasteland, The Walking Dead, Crossed, Just a Pilgrim, Prophet, B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth.

All comments welcome.

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