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geekwayne's review
4.0
'Black Jack Ketchum' by Brian Schirmer with art by Claudia Balboni takes a historical figure and events, and puts a weird West twist on things.
Tom Ketchum is mistaken for an outlaw named "Black Jack" Ketchum. It's easy enough to do since they look similar and have the same last name. He sets about to clear his name. Along the way he is aided by a talking gun, a mute girl toting a rifle and a strange gambler. He is running from the faceless Judge. He does this by using old West saloons as portals (since they are all mostly the same, apparently). There are flashbacks and flash forwards, and the whole thing kind of keeps you guessing until the end.
Each issue starts with real history. We learn about the real Ketchums and the sad fate that Tom had. The art is interesting. The story is good, but perhaps a bit confusing in places. Still, I give it a solid plus for the effort. It seemed to be lacking something for me to really love it, but I do like what they tried to do here, and weaving in actual historical figures is a plus.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Tom Ketchum is mistaken for an outlaw named "Black Jack" Ketchum. It's easy enough to do since they look similar and have the same last name. He sets about to clear his name. Along the way he is aided by a talking gun, a mute girl toting a rifle and a strange gambler. He is running from the faceless Judge. He does this by using old West saloons as portals (since they are all mostly the same, apparently). There are flashbacks and flash forwards, and the whole thing kind of keeps you guessing until the end.
Each issue starts with real history. We learn about the real Ketchums and the sad fate that Tom had. The art is interesting. The story is good, but perhaps a bit confusing in places. Still, I give it a solid plus for the effort. It seemed to be lacking something for me to really love it, but I do like what they tried to do here, and weaving in actual historical figures is a plus.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
sfstagewalker's review
4.0
This is a hard book to categorize, but I think existential / supernatural / western fits pretty close. Schirmer's writing always surprises, and the only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because it's all over too damn soon. Would have loved it if this tale could have gone longer and this world explored more.
vsbedford's review
4.0
Gorgeously colored meditation on the Old West and the archetypes of folklore that ultimately makes no godd**n sense. There are some interesting thoughts swirling around here; but it all crumbles a bit once you really start poking around its metaphysical edges. Anyway, as mentioned, some of the one page design is stunning and Tom Ketchum's silent sidekick and talking gun are very good - but the entire whole is bit wanting.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
theartolater's review
3.0
I picked this up after reading a recommendation on this following the Twin Peaks finish, and if you read the back blurbs, this is pretty much described as a Lynchian western. On one hand, yeah, I get why people say that – this is a deliberately confusing mishmash of dimensional positioning and weirdness that certainly echoes a lot of that Peaks-style in many respects. On the other hand, this is kind of a rote walkthrough of basic, entry-level dimensional confusion that really just failed to resonate in any true way.
It was fine, but I ultimately wished I had read this a few years ago before my foray into the weird.
It was fine, but I ultimately wished I had read this a few years ago before my foray into the weird.
tawallah's review
1.0
I have enjoyed westerns when I was younger. I read quite a few Louis L'Amour in the nineties. When I saw this graphic novel, I was expectedly an ode to the Westerns. Instead, this was a weird story with no plot-line I can tell. There is the issue of a dream sequence which annoyed me further. So at the end of this, I can't tell you what it is really about. Not recommending this one.
I read this in two sittings- June 21 and August 2016. Didn't even bother to read over the first 48 pages and I don't think it would have made a difference.
Enjoyed the artwork, the only highlight of this novel.
Disclaimer: I received this a e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I read this in two sittings- June 21 and August 2016. Didn't even bother to read over the first 48 pages and I don't think it would have made a difference.
Enjoyed the artwork, the only highlight of this novel.
Disclaimer: I received this a e-book in exchange for an honest review.
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