Trve Kvlt #1, from IDW, is an original concept about today’s instant gratification world. This one rings the buzzer hits the tap screen, proceeds to the comic drive-up window, and wishes you a great day, all in one.
Writer Scott Bryan Wilson places us in the burger joint, a locally run and run-down fast food restaurant. Marty Tarantella has been working there ‘forever’, and seems to be a ‘lifer’. He’s surrounded by toxic management, customers who want to ‘gin’ the system for free food, and suffers from a general malaise. But he has a half-baked plan in mind, a bit of an idea on how to get some hasty cash.
So that’s the “burger”, and here are the special “toppings”: A dollop of sarcasm, a large side order of hilariously accurate dialogue, and a biggie amount of suspense mixed liberally with a slightly saucy delivery.
Artist and cocreator Liana Kangas nails the characters, the setting, and the slightly greasy surface of Trve Kvlt’s surroundings. Kangas ‘gets’ the slouching, slacking, plotting, scheming humans that inhabit the story. The panels are positioned to help us, the readers, into the environment of ringing bells, impatient bosses, demanding workloads. And with that, Gab Contreras’ vivid colours (Assists by Jimmy Savage) play a fun counterpoint to the monotony, the spirit-killing ambiance of fast food hell: it’s all brightly toned skies, bright blue uniforms, purple walls, and Fuschia booths. Lettering by DC Hopkins, editing by Chase W. Marotz.
There are twists, cinnamon-scented scenes, dialogue peppered with bitter anecdotes, and lots more to keep you entertained, as this story of misguided losers and underachievers is just getting warmed up!
IDW, Trve Kvlt #1, $3.99 for 25 pages of content
Newsdesk