This review is for Battlepug. Let that sink in for a moment. Battlepug. Talk about a title that grabs you and makes you go “What the hell?!” As I am quickly learning in this business, I NEVER take anything on face value. I don’t judge a book by its cover, or title as it were, and I ALWAYS have to go into each book with an open mind. When I first got this book, I wish you could have seen the look on my face. I was not familiar with this title by Mike Norton (Revival, Love In Tights) nor the fact that it is a web comic. (One that is now bookmarked by me I should note.)  So I went into this wondering what kind of experience I was about to have and hoping that it would be entertaining. I left utterly entranced and a huge fan of Norton’s, the pug, and the world he inhabits.  Kudos.
Battlepug’s first story arc follows the life of a Kimmundi boy who is the last survivor of his village after it is attacked by a warlord. The boy is orphaned, found, enslaved, and raised by a warlord and his servants. If this story sounds familiar it should. The Kimmundi boy’s story closely parallels the story of Conan the Cimmerian. Throughout the story arc, Norton cleverly and expertly throws in references and parodies for comedic or ironic effect. For instance, the warlord that enslaved the boy is actually Santa Claus; a great warrior of the north that the boy eventually kills. I know, that sound ridiculous on its face but Norton blends this farcical event into the story so seamlessly that it works perfectly. Later on in the story, two ghosts are running a ferry that the boy, now man, and his companions flee to. Those two people are the spitting image of George and Weezie Jefferson and their dialogue is a spot on parody of The Jefferson’s, a sitcom from the seventies if you aren’t familiar with it. After their ferry is destroyed, the two wander off and the George parody fantasizes about setting up the high fantasy equivalent of a dry cleaning business, which is exactly what George Jefferson did in the sitcom. It is hilarious and once again blends seamlessly into the story and the setting.
Another example of Norton’s masterful storytelling is evident in the narrator of the story. Throughout the book, the story cuts away to a woman who is alluringly naked, but I digress, and two talking dogs. She is telling them the story of the Kimmundi boy and is constantly interrupted by the witty and entertaining commentary of the two dogs. As the book progresses, we continue to cut away to this woman and her canine companions, Norton keeps the reader guessing as to why she is the one narrating the story and what part, if any, she will ultimately play. Right up until the end of the story, Norton teases you with this sub-plot and then masterfully ties it all together in a dramatic and satisfying conclusion. The woman, as a device to drive the plot, is masterfully written. Furthermore, the woman and her surroundings are impeccably drawn and colored (as is the entire book). Of particular note, the female narrator has numerous henna tattoos. While the artwork on those tattoos is very good, it is the color work done on them, as well as throughout the book, that brings them to life and positively makes them pop off the page. Allan Passalaqua’s (Birds of Prey, Huntress) work on this book is incredible and defines this book as much as the art or the story.
I can’t recommend this series enough. I’m enchanted by this work and intend to follow it going forward. It is original, funny, poignant, entertaining and everything I could want. This book gets my very highest marks.
Writing – 5 of 5 Stars
Art – 5 of 5 Stars
Color – 5 of 5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Story – Mike Norton
Art – Mike Norton
Color – Allan Passalaqua
Letters – Chris Crank
Nemesis is a poet, writer and author of the upcoming novel The Long Game. He is a writer of science fiction and supernatural thrillers. Besides novels and short stories he writes for UK based ASAP Comics developing new stories for Level 8 and OPSEC. Nem is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and tries to bring those experiences into his writing.
He lives and works out of his home in Riverside, California with his wife and three children. When not writing he enjoys reviewing comic books and graphic novels for ComicCrusaders.com and living the Southern California life with his family.
