This Damned Band #6 - A Review

This review will be unusually short as there is precious little I can say about this final issue of This Damned Band that will not give away the game. And, to be quite honest, if you're not already reading this book after my previous reviews, there's precious little I can say in the final hour that is likely to make you rectify that mistake

I will say this then: Paul Cornell, Tony Parker and Lovern Kindzierski have crafted one of the most fascinating and entertaining comics of the year and I cannot recommend it highly enough to you all. So if you can't track down the individual issues at this point, consider the upcoming Trade Paperback collection. You'll be damned glad you did!

This Damned Band #5 - A Review

The rock band Motherfather got into Satanism as a publicity stunt. At least, most of the band did. But now, with more and more of their groupies disappearing and their manager becoming increasingly distant and creepy as they get ever closer to their tour's final performance in Austin, Texas, some of the band are more anxious than ever to get out of the business. Unfortunately for them, all Hell is about to break loose...

This fifth issue stands in marked contrast to the rest.  There's less overt humor than in the previous issues, as most of the issue concerns itself with the plot rather than the sheer lunacy of the characters involved. Thankfully, the action and plot are as strong and gripping as ever. Well done, Paul Cornell!

Tony Parker's artwork continues to impress as well. There's some truly breath-taking visuals in this issue and again I wish that Image migh publishe some of the Motherfather album covers and mock-concert posters as real posters. I'd gladly hang some of these on my wall.

This Damned Band #4 - A Review

The rock band Motherfather is loosing groupies and technicians at an alarming rate. But this is of little concern to the band, as they're faced with a group of French assassins who have come seeking the money one of the band-mates owes their drug-lord employers. Meanwhile, a camera crew filming a documentary about the band stumble across something strange in the band manager's room which may answer the mystery of the people going missing around Motherfather...


The artwork by Tony Parker and Lovern Kindzierski on this issue is brilliant. Parker has shown amazing versatility in previous issues and this one is no exception! Parker illustrates the bits of the story filmed by the camera crew in his usual manner while adapting a style that is equal parts Yellow Submarine animation and The Adventures of Tintin for the bits that happened off-camera.


This artwork brings Paul Cornell's script to life wonderfully. Fans of Cornell's previous work on Action Comics and Doctor Who will not be disappointed by his work here. Indeed, this may be the single funniest thing he's ever written. 

This Damned Band #3 - A Review

Before they continue the second leg of their world tour, Motherfather have stopped off in France to do a bit of writing and recording.  They set up shop in a chateau that has a built-in recording studio and is also reportedly haunted. Of course between the drugs and the documentary camera crew everyone is already feeling like they're being watched.  But could there really be something in the chateau's shadows?

Paul Cornell continues to balance the humor and the horror of this story masterfully. There's a good bit of honest drama as well, with a subplot involving the marital difficulties between Kev and his wife Alice meriting special attention. It's moving stuff, yet there's also a few scenes that are likely to inspire readers to laugh out loud.
 

The artwork is equally marvelous and balanced. Tony Parker's designs for the characters are particularly noteworthy, with no member of the extensive cast looking at all alike. The colors by Lovern Kindzierski are vivid and well-chosen, matching the 1970s aesthetic of the story quite well.

This Damned Band #2 - A Review

It was another wild drug-fueled, post-show party and that was not unusual for the band known (currently) as Motherfather.  Satan himself showed up wanting to hang out, which was rather unusual. And now in the wake of his departure, all of the bandmates are arguing - as a documentary films - about changing the art for their next album in honor of their new friend.  Except for Kev, who apparently thinks he just sold his soul to Santa.


This tribute to the golden age of sex, drugs, rock and roll and artistically motivated Satanism continues to impress and amaze. This book is incredibly funny, which is to be expected with Paul Cornell writing. The script goes beyond mere mockumentary humor, however, with Cornell satirizing the entire culture of classic rock and offering up a healthy portion of character-based humor as well.


The artwork by Tony Parker and Lovern Kindzierski is equally varied.  Parker changes up the artwork based on the perspectives of the band-mates, with Kev's drug-fueled haze represented by cheerful Tezukaesque imagery. There's also a number of brilliant poster-worthy prints on the interior and exterior covers. Even the band's emblem on the back cover is brilliantly designed!