Sweet Tooth #18 – Review

by Jeff Lemire (writer & artist), Jose Villarrubia (colors), and Pat Brosseau (letters)

The Story: Gus and the gang hit the road to Alaska, readjusting to the outside world.

What’s Good: Jeff Lemire is never afraid of getting experimental with Sweet Tooth’s layouts, and nowhere is this more on display than this month, where the book is in landscape and, at points, narrated like a storybook, with a splash page on top and a page of prose narration below.  But that’s not what’s best about this issue.

What’s best is its emotional resonance.  Take for example the tension between the newly reunited Jepperd and Gus.  Jepperd’s obvious sense of guilt and his clumsy attempts to reconnect are absolutely heartbreaking, regardless of whether he’s done wrong.  There’s something pathetic in his actions this month, using relics in an attempt to rekindle a time long past and regain a friendship with a Gus that no longer exists.  Or is that Gus simply buried?  Either way, it’s really gut-wrenching, eye-watering stuff that is sincere in the utmost.

Gus himself functions incredibly well this month as a kind of moral compass.  His clear sense of right and wrong show a much clearer, more defined character than the impressionable kid from issue 1.  Perhaps he’s idealistic, but he’s steadfast.  Gus shows himself to be a restraining force on the adults, a figure who reminds them of their humanity.

I also really enjoy the group dynamic that the comic has taken on.  In some ways, it reminds me of the Walking Dead: it’s an ensemble in a post-apocalyptic world, with each character having his or her unique characteristics and place in the group.  A special mention also has to go to Bobby, who gets in a couple of really hilarious lines this month.  It was surprising to get that out of Lemire, as Sweet Tooth has never been the comic to go to for laughs.

There’s also a heavy emphasis on the importance of the innocence of childhood this month that was really quite touching.  Seeing all the tension and horror of the series break away, even for a moment, to allow for kids to be kids and friends to be friends was a beautiful sight to see.  Indeed, the final splash of the issue almost made my eyes water.  It was such a display of friendship and goodness and acceptance that it’s hard to put into words.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Detective Comics #873 – In a week where I felt like I deserved a medal for valor for merely finishing my comics (thanks for that Marvel) that contained a notable death in Fantastic Four, three excellent Avengers comics, the shocking end to Uncanny X-Force, another stellar issue of American Vampire and a great start to New York Five, the best was Scott Snyder’s trippy end to his first story arc that combined gas masks, amputations, Scarecrow gas and Man-Bat juice to create a story where you didn’t know what was real and what was in Dick Grayson’s head.  This is far and away the best Bat book and that is saying something because all the Bat books are quite good right now.  Runner-up: New Avengers #8

Most Anticipated: She-Hulks #4 – The bad news is that its the end of the mini and the next time we see the She-Hulks it probably won’t be with Harrison Wilcox writing such clever dialog and Ryan Stegman drawing beautifully fun characters.  The good news is that I fully expect this series to close on a very high note.  The series has been fun as hell and you shouldn’t miss this final issue.

Other picks: I, Zombie #10, Doc Macabre #3, Amazing Spider-Man #653, Hulk #29

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Fantastic Four #587 – RIP Johnny.  A fantastic issue that succeeded on so many levels.  It wasn’ t just an emotional, heroic, and proper send-off for a character, as there were also thrills and, surprisingly, laughs to be had.  Truly, the sky is the limit for Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four and I can’t wait to see where he takes us over the next year.

Most Anticipated: Invincible #77 – It’s a shame, but delays have taken some of the steam out of the Viltrumite War these days as it seems that Invincible comes out whenever it feels like it these days.  That said, it was a pleasant surprise to see this making it to the stands this month.  The Viltrumites are heading to Earth as the War comes to it’s conclusion.  That alone is enough to grab my most anticipated spot.

Other Picks: Invincible Iron Man #500.1, Superboy #4, Secret Six #30, Sweet Tooth #18, Brightest Day #19, SHIELD #6

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Kato Origins #6 – I am really digging Kato Origins and issue #6 this week was cool ninja action, layered into WWII America, with the crime and racism that makes Kato one of the most outsider heroes I’ve ever seen. Next issue is the start of a new arc, so you should get ready.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #19 – Johns, Tomasi and the massive art crew have delivered some great issues recently and we’re gearing up for all the pieces to come together. That alone would have put Brightest Day near the top of my list, but Ivan Reis on Aquaman has been one of the real pulls for this series and this issue promises to be Aquaman heavy.

Other Picks: Captain America – Hail Hydra #2, Batman Confidential #53, Batman: Odyssey #6, Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1, Marvel Vault: Doctor Strange #1