Sweet Tooth #22 – Review

By: Jeff Lemire (creator), Jose Villarrubia (colorist)

The Story: “Shoot first, ask later” seems to be the rule of thumb in this world.

The Review: In my review of Fables #104, I mentioned the difficulties in jumping into the middle any series.  So it was with some trepidation I waded into Sweet Tooth, which hasn’t really been around for that long and yet by most accounts has already taken on a rich life of its own.  A couple people warned me the impact of the story would be lost without some familiarity with the ongoing plot.  And so I expected to read the issue and come out completely puzzled.

It’s rather a waste to have all that concern over nothing, as Lemire makes this issue (as I suspect he makes every issue) quite a cinch to hop in with no prior knowledge whatsoever.  While over on Superboy, I frequently noted the occasional blandness he gives the cast, the characters in his own title pop with vibrant personality: tough cynic Jepperd, strong-willed Lucy, antsy Dr. Singh.  The moment they open their mouths, you get a firm grasp on who these people are.

Nowhere does this come through more clearly than in Lucy and Jepperd’s volatile interactions.  Given how obviously tough each of them is (their fatally accurate marksmanship says as much), their relationship can’t be anything but edgy at the best of times, but it speaks volumes when he ventures, “You can’t really be mad at me?”  For a gruff like Jepperd to be sensitive to Lucy’s feelings shows there’s a heart of gold beneath his rugged and scarred exterior.

Lemire also makes it easy to catch on not only to the overall plot (group on the run searching for sanctuary), but the major conflict at hand as well.  This ragtag bunch has clearly been through some harrowing experiences on their journey, so the idea of finding sanctuary that much sooner no doubt poses serious temptations.

But the timing of it all seems a little too perfect to really trust haven-provider Walter’s motives.  Though he insists to Jepperd and Lucy that the woodland rangers are dangerous, to get the duo to shoot the men from behind seems suspiciously hasty, as does persuading the group to come back to his place for the night before they think of investigating the bodies.  In doing so, they miss a vital clue to their quest, as Lemire explicitly points out in the final panel.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: American Vampire #15 – Wowie!  What a strong week for comics: AV #15, Detective #877, Butcher Baker #3, Walking Dead #85, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #6….  When there is a murderer’s row of comics like that, I tend to break the tie by which comic was the most memorable and this week is was AV #15.  This series is showing NO signs of letting up and there is no excuse to not be reading this excellent series that hasn’t had a single grade lower than B+ during it’s run.  Snyder’s script of U.S. Marine/Vampire Hunters on a Japanese held island during WWII coming into contact with some funky and feral vampires really gives Rafael Albuquerque a chance to show off.  Wow.  Runner-up: Butcher Baker #3

Most Anticipated: Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1 – A LOT of anticipated books this week, so I’m going to go with one that is least likely to let me down.  I don’t think I’ve ever read a poor issue of Criminal.  Even when the story isn’t grabbing me, it is always noirish as hell and has great art by the Sean Phillips/Val Staples team.  Comics would be better (and taken more seriously by other adults )if we had fewer Batman, X-Men and Flashpoint titles and more comics like Criminal.

Other Picks: 50 Girls 50 #1, Haunt #16, Turf #5, Fear Itself #3, SHIELD #1, Who is Jake Ellis #4, Thunderbolts #158

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Mighty Thor #2 – Everything really just came together this week for Matt Fraction’s Thor.  Tone-wise and character-wise everything was in place and I felt that we were now getting a Thor book that not only more forged ahead than rode JMS’ coat-tails, but also one that I could see continuing for years to come.  That alone is praise enough, but when you factor in Olivier Coipel’s fantastic art and my love of Thor, well, this is an easy choice for me.

Most Anticipated: Fear Itself #3 – It was neck and neck between Fear Itself and the first issue of the new Criminal.  Yeah, I know, the two books couldn’t be any more different. But I went with Fear Itself (*boo* *hiss*, I know) because, much like Flashpoint, it’s an event that’s succeeded in making me excited and wanting to read more.  Granted, that’s for entirely different reasons than Flashpoint.  For Fear Itself, it’s because this looks like an event that actually puts story first, and not status quo changing events or stuffing as many characters and as much flashy action on the page as possible.  So yeah, with Fraction’s promising a major event/twist in the story with every issue, I’m really curious to see what he’s got coming up this Wednesday. But wait….Flashpoint #2 is coming out as well?  Well…um….I’ll go with Fear Itself because….I’m the one reviewing it?

Other Picks: Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1,  Flashpoint #2, Secret Six #34, Amazing Spider-Man #663, Moon Knight #2, SHIELD #1, Uncanny X-Force #11, Sweet Tooth #22

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Kirby Genesis #0 – The third installment of Carbon Grey was a strong contender, with a wild story and great art, but there was an irrepressible exuberance to Kirby Genesis #0 that really felt like I was watching something great being revealed. Kirby’s bursting creativity has been gone for a long time, but his inheritors are giving his works life again.

Most Anticipated: X-Men #12 – This is the second installment of the Evolutionaries story that began in Giant-Size X-Men #1 and left us on a cliff-hanger as Scott remembered an encounter with these genetic shepherds way in the past of the original X-Men. I’m eager to see where Yost is taking this high-concept piece and loving the art.

Other Picks: Criminal: Astonishing X-Men #39, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger – The Battle of Tull #1, Ozma of Oz #7, Uncanny X-Force #11, X-23 #11