Sweet Tooth #9 – Review

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

The Story: The curtain is pulled back a little more on Jepperd’s past, while Singh tries to gain Gus’ trust.

What’s Good: Despite its focus on a small number of characters, it’s become clear that Sweet Tooth is quite often about betrayal.  Lemire once again does a great job of depicting this recurring theme.  A betrayal in Jepperd’s past with his wife Louise is oddly related to his betrayal of Gus, and thus trauma links with, and creates, trauma.  When Louise and Jepperd are betrayed this month, it’s bitterly fitting that the worst moment of Jepperd’s life occurs at exactly the same spot as his betrayal of Gus.  With Jepperd’s flashbacks coming to their climax, the past comes just a little closer to the present in very effective fashion.

With its running theme of betrayal, it’s only natural that this month would also focus quite a bit on trust.  It’s elegant writing on Lemire’s part that both Gus and Jepperd’s portions of the issue treat this subject.  Singh attempts to gain Gus’ trust, while in the past, Abbott tries to gain Jepperd and Louise’s.   Of course, typical of Lemire’s deftness and his dark, post-apocalyptic world, both situations pull in opposite directions:  Gus struggles to trust what seems to be an honest man, while Louise and Jepperd willingly place their trust in the hands of bad men.  It’s very effective plotting for Lemire, particularly with all the characters walking difficult routes.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: X-Force #26 – this whole Second Coming arc is firing on all cylinders and I think Marvel’s got a classic on its hands if they can keep this level of control and discipline on the story.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #1 – What!? Like it could be anything else? Johns, Tomasi, and Reis are starting the new Green Lantern epic!

Other Top Picks: Batman and Robin #12, JSA All-Stars #6, Red Robin #12, Superman: War of the Supermen #1, Spider-Man: Fever #2, Uncanny X-Men #524.

Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: Scalped #37 -A really fantastic issue and a perfect conclusion to what could’ve been just another filler arc.  Brave, gritty stuff all around, Scalped continues to be one of the best books around.

Most Anticipated: iZombie #1 – A new Vertigo ongoing is always something to check out and with Mike Allred behind the art that becomes doubly so.  My curiosity is piqued and I hope that Vertigo continues it’s current hot streak.

Other Picks: Hellboy in Mexico (Or, a Drunken Blur), Sweet Tooth #9, Brightest Day #1, Batman & Robin #12, Secret Six #21

Joe’s Top Picks

Best of the Week: X-Force #26 – Kyle and Yost back to form on the title they made a great read and the death of a major  X-character all wrapped up in beautiful artwork by Mike Choi and Sonia Oback?  ‘Nuff said.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #1 – The zero issue was a pleasant surprise and, well, hello?!  White ring to finish my collection?  Yes please.

Other picks: Uncanny X-Men #523, X-Men – Second Coming Revelations – Hellbound #1, Red Robin #12, Secret Six #21, Demo 2 #4, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1

Dean’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: Incorruptible #5 – None of the “big” titles really blew my socks off last week and I smile because that allows Incorruptible #5 to steal the cheese.  This was the best issue yet of this series.  You should definitely be reading this and its sister title, Irredeemable.

Most Anticipated: Orc Stain #3 – The first two issues of this series from Image have been trippy, vulgar fun.  Can’t wait to see what happens in this issue!

Other Picks: I, Zombie #1, Uncanny X-Men #524, Amazing Spider-Man #630, Secret Six #21, Batman & Robin #12