In 1950 New York a young boy disappears. The authorities are baffled. Then out of nowhere, a young woman appears out of thin air. This is Tart Acid and she soon recognises the foul stench of a demons involvement. Using all her knowledge of the monsters that ask a price for transportation; remember what the song says about paying the Ferryman; Tart is on the case. But will she both save the young lad and survive, or will a terrible price be paid?
The book is the co-creation of writer Kevin Joseph and artist Ludovic Salle. Joseph clearly has a love for a mix of genres, given that nods to both Doctor Who, Quantum Leap and Buffy the Vampire Slayer all raise their respective heads. That’s not to say that this book is just the best bits of all three mashed together. Joseph, it seems, is going for world creation in a manner that supplants the idea that the reader needs to know everything from the get go. Tart herself is a bit of a contradiction; a young woman with an innate knowledge gained from where, being sent through time by whom, for whatever reasons. These aspects take a back seat for the most part in this first issue as we get to see Tart doing what she does best, and I don’t mean just relaxing in the tub! The demon aspects are given a bit of a touch up in certain regards, which at this point, I am not going to go into.
Ludovic Salle’s, a french artist, certainly demonstrates a European openness regarding nudity. I am not saying that the art is gratuitous, it was however unexpected. The stylised art has odd contours which, at first glance, distracts more than engages especially as at times it feels like old post card where salaciousness is hinted at but never delivered. On second viewing there is plenty of nuance hidden in plain sight. Of course, where there is a demon, there must be a monster and Salle does well to create a horror that matches the tone of Joseph’s writing. The painted effect colors gives the book an odd other worldly feel that suits the book, regardless of its real, albeit 1950’s real, world setting.
I am not going to lie; I saw the title of the book and it piqued my curiosity. I did not expect to find such a grandiose mix of Victorian horror and almost abstract figures. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. Anyone else fancy a Tart for New Year?
Interested in hearing more about this new book from Scout Comics imprint NONSTOP!, keep an eye on the Outside the Panels page for an interview with co-creator and writer Kevin Joseph.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Overall -5 Stars
Written by; Kevin Joseph
Art by;Â Ludovic Salle
Published by; NONSTOP! / Scout Comics
Tart #1 is scheduled to hit stores on Jan 29th, 2020. Please use Diamond order code NOV191868 for any pre-orders at your local comic book store.
Author Profile
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I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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