Writer: Clifford Meth
Artist: Rufus Dayglo
Publisher: IDW Publishing
EDITOR'S NOTE: Snaked #1 will be in stores this December and is currently available for pre-order through Diamond Previews.
IDW’s new book Snaked is a bit of an odd duck, combining what seem to be supernatural elements with gruesome violence and attempts at political commentary. It’s kind of difficult to get a grasp on things in the first issue, but the story seems to focus on a murderous fellow by the name of William Timmons, who may or may not have some sort of demonic powers. The story follows him indirectly, through the stories of others, chiefly one Arnold Morganstern, a denizen of a psychiatric hospital who was apparently the recipient of some damaging actions by Timmons (we don’t find out exactly what happened in this issue).
The story is told non-chronologically, beginning on September 10, 2001 (the momentous events of the following day will surely be key to the events of future issues) and jumping back to earlier points in the year. Timmons and Morganstern both worked for Bill and Hillary Clinton in their new office in Harlem after Bill left the White House, and something there happened that seemed to turn Timmons murderous. Later, we see Timmons in prison, where he reacts violently to threats from other prisoners, and we see President Bush and some senators discuss a mysterious “Project Snaked”. It adds up to a lot of mystery and unanswered questions, but I don’t know if it’s really compelling enough to spend $3.99 a month on.
The political commentary adds an odd element to the proceedings, and while it might eventually pay off, it seems kind of awkwardly wedged in to this first issue. Timmons is seen in prison reading a book called “Up From Liberalism”, demonstrating that he’s a conservative. But the Clintons’ staff is shown to be corrupt and wasteful, and Timmons seems to be the only one worried about this. Plus, Bill Clinton is seen demonstrating linguistic ineptitude that seems somewhat out-of-character, something that would seem more likely to come from George W. Bush. It’s hard to tell where writer Clifford Meth’s political sympathies lie, and it’s an odd fit for what seems to be a horror comic.
Rufus Dayglo’s art is pretty nice though. He has been working with Ashley Wood lately on the Tank Girl: The Gifting miniseries, and Wood’s influence shows here, in the heavy ink lines, the starburst-like expressions of surprise that appear surrounding characters’ heads, and the extensive use of screen-tones. He renders the gory scenes well, really selling the disturbing violence, and the characters are all very expressive. It’s a nice-looking book, fitting in well with the moody horror comics that IDW has been publishing lately.
On the whole, it’s an interesting comic, but it might read a bit better when it’s collected. This first chapter delivers some interesting scenes, but there just isn’t much here to encourage readers to keep following the book.
What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!