Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
The Showdown Volume 1: Creature Feature
Broken Icon Comics
Lippitt, Guaraldi-Brown & Rodriguez
"The Showdown" is a comic book that takes the classic horror movie characters, combines them with gang-style bravado, mixes it with drag racing nostalgia and adds in a dash of Hell for good measure. This is nothing like you've ever read before and is something that you shouldn't pass up. If you like the horror genre, witty comic books or something just a little different than you should seek this book out. You won't be disappointed.
When evil dies, it goes to Hell. Well, what happens if there was a way for that evil to return in order to get a second chance at raising a little Hell on Earth? They'd fight like hell to get it, right? That is the hook for this comic. Creatures (all dead) of all shapes and sizes are participating in a drag-smash race where the winner takes all and gets another shot on Earth.
The interesting take on this story is the creature selection and the collection of creatures on each team or gang. One group is more intriguing than the previous. The groups all want to win that race though and that is obviously driving their unpredictable behavior.
As for the race, there aren't too many rules. In fact, it seems that the only rule is that each car is allowed only two participants. Beyond that it seems like anything goes. There are plenty of characters to fill the seats though.
One of the challenges with having a large cast is that the characters tend to be under developed or some are very developed while others blend into the background too much to seem relevant. Lippitt rolls his characters out in groups of about three, which works well. The groups aren't simply Nazis, Werewolves or Vampires. They have individual names, gang names, unique personalities and attributes that set them apart from each other. Some of them even have some charm and might even bubble up as a protagonist depending on how you relate to them. The craft in the design of characters was remarkable.
The characters also have their own subplots that allow them to showcase their uniqueness. There is a love story at work, there are rivals within gangs, gang to gang bad blood and general un-dead-drama. The characters also provide the right mix of humor and tension. The book has a nice build up, but the story highlights the down moments where some of the back and forth wit can get a laugh from the reader.
The comic has a nice flow to it. Considering the book is over 60 pages, the comic reads quickly. It introduces characters, moves the characters into place and launches the plot. The pace is definitely enhanced by the artwork.
Perhaps like no other genre, horror comics come with a high bar. This comic reaches that bar. The book provides grizzly looking characters with very unique looks to set them apart from others of their group. The comic also provides heavy detail in the cars and motorcycles that the teams are associated with. The comic also excels at giving a lively look to the characters. In a way that almost makes this book a more character focused book. The artwork definitely conveys emotion that punctuates the dialogue to help marry up the story and the art. Above all else, this book is dark and that makes it look and read fantastic. The tone is set for the story to launch into the details of the characters, the race and the stakes. Overall, this art presentation is a perfect match for this comic.
"The Showdown Volume One: Creature Feature" is the perfect comic that mixes the horror genre with drag racing, while telling a story with a wide range of unique and interesting characters. The book is over 60 pages and introduces the characters, their gangs, their own little subplots and then brings them together for the winner-takes-all race that will let one group out of Hell to raise Hell on Earth. The book is dark, but charming. The artwork is detailed and sets the tone for the mood perfectly. This is not a comic to pass up. I'm looking forward to future volumes. I highly recommend this book.
4.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
