With the second issue of DC/ Vertigo’s title Bordertown, the weirdness continues.
In a well-crafted combination of social commentary and horror, author Eric M. Esquivel, with Ramon Villalobos on art, gives us an incredibly viceral comic book.
Situated on the US/Mexican border, and simultaneously on the border between “us” and the ‘sub terrestrial nightmare realm of Mictlan’, this book ‘borders’ on psychedelic!
It’s raining crazy; a group of outcast kids are having trouble adapting to life in this strange small town, and monsters keep invading from the other world. Without delving deeper into a discussion about the underbelly subtext of racism and divided populations, this comic rings true on all sorts of fronts.
The art is magnificent; detailed, ‘indie-like’ (a bit eccentric but well executed with lots of interesting tics and twists). The dialogue is fresh, rude and frank. A breath of hot sulfuric air in these divided times.
It’s a visual treat to see the Mexican colour influence here, played out in nightmarish and garish fashion. The monsters are horrific, the town is flat and brown; the fear is every colour of the rainbow.
We shall remember the comic called Bordertown. But don’t just remember it, don’t forget to grab a copy of this one at your friendly neighbourhood comic shop!
DC Vertigo Bordertown #2, $3.99 for 22 pages of content; Not rated but assume Teen +
Newsdesk