The latest offering from Boom Studios is another comic with a very clear premise, What makes someone turn to crime–especially in a modern, pandemic-riddled dystopia? Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson (The Incredible Hulk, Action Comics), illustrated by Som, colored by Patricio Delpeche, and lettered by Becca Carey, Crocodile Black is a vicious neo-noir made for fans of Donnie Darko and The Machinist.
I knew from the announcement that I would adore this book not only because I am a fan of Johnson’s, but because the premise is one I understand intimately. I’ve worked retail for more than twenty years. This includes what I jokingly refer to as “The Toilet Paper Wars of 2020” because it’s easy to joke about it, but I’ll never forget people coming up to me at the store and asking– no, begging me to help them. I thought I knew what hurting people looked like then I saw strangers on the verge of tears because they didn’t know— well, you get the picture. There was about a month where people were thanking me in the store because that was what the news said to do, but the thing I remember more is how fast it went from thank-yous to screaming and insulting me.
So I know that many don’t want to relive that time, but to read a comic where it’s sort of acknowledged? AMAZING. Because I’ll never forget. And in the comic when Danny says he likes wearing the mask even when no one else is wearing one, he’s literally saying things that I’ve thought. I could be anyone under that mask. Anyone I want to be.
Except when you’ve worked twenty years in retail and try to pivot your experience to something else. It’s easy to feel like I’ve wasted my whole life. When Danny makes the choices he does in this comic, it’s not a leap. It makes me feel seen. And when he’s made to feel like the enemy at the dinner table? Between this and Hulk, Johnson might as well be mining my brain for his stories.
Som was the unknown element of this team and from the first page I was very impressed. Wait until you see the second page! The painted style feels expressive and unique while still maintaining a noir-esque tone. While the art itself doesn’t immediately scream noir, Som is bringing their own flavor to this darker storyline. I don’t think they’ve done other interiors, but hopefully they use this book as a calling card because I want to see more!
As I stated above, this comic feels so much like Donnie Darko and the art makes me think of Anand RK’s work. It’s very much my speed and yes, I will live vicariously through Danny through the rest of this story. And for those that may be worried that it’s a book about COVID, I don’t think that should be a concern. This series pairs very well with the Image Comics series The One Hand by Ram V and Laurence Campbell.
