What is it about the Victorian age that makes people thing of sex? For example, InSEXts, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen are but two that spring to mind. Step up Chester, a kind of winsome love story with lots of sex and a robot!
It seems that Pricilla is married to the Victorian era’s version of Reed Richards in the shape of inventor Robert. Feeling unsatisfied and unloved, Pricilla is the recipient of Robert’s latest invention, Chester 5000, who to quote Girls Aloud, is a love machine with appendages and lube a plenty to ensure Pricilla’s pleasure. No wonder Reed wanted rid of HERBIE, right? What follows are the trysts and tribulations of love, sex and everything that gets caught in between
Jess Fink is the “do-it-all” writer / artist for the book. From the get go, the book has no dialogue, giving it the feel of a silent movie of sorts. This is charming throughout as it allows for the cartoonist expressionist art to speak fro itself. Emotions are plain to see, situations are readily understandable and the sex, well the sex is graphic to say the least. At times intimate, at others bawdy, there should be enough variety of skin on skin action to suit most tastes. Hell, there are more than enough thigh high stockings to keep me happy. I guess fishnets weren’t around in the Victorian age!
In Pricilla, Fink has gotten her unapologetic, curvy, desire fuelled heroine. Regardless of the relationships, be it with Robert or Chester, Pricilla always seems to be in control; it’s her that has the power to unlock Chester’s heart in more ways than one. There is also a lot of humour on show with Chester coming equipped with ready installed “apps” par se to suit Pricilla’s desirous, and at times, wanton needs.
Upon reflection, could this book be seen as some sort of statement about the growing sex toy industry? After all, nowadays you can practically buy anything to suit your extra marital shenanigans with of with or without your partner. Are we as a society too busy in our own lives that we are becoming “Roberts’, inviting “Chesters” into our beds and into our hearts? I am not sure that this is the message that Fink is looking to make, though it is an interesting point to consider.
Chester 5000 is a fun book of sex and love, where some expectations are not met, some are exceeded, delivered via a Victorian steam punk world of Pricilla and her mechanical lover, wrapped up in bodices and stocking tops. What’s not to enjoy?
Writing- 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Overall – 5 Stars
Written by; Jess Fink
Art by; Jess Fink
Published by; IDW / Top Shelf
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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