Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Smokes and Guns; A Hardcore Review

Into it holds the idea that we should be fair and balanced and be "nice" and not be damning of a product or its creators. I say this. It would not be truth if I only reviewed things I liked or always in a favorable way. In fact the reviews where I have panned something have brought me the most kudos from readers. And quite simply, if you do not like things to be reviewed fairly and in an editorial manner... DON'T FUCKING READ MY REVIEWS! In fact if that's how you feel you should probably never read anything I write... EVAR!
I am going to remind everyone who reads these reviews that the grading system I use is this: instead of thumbs up or stars, I rate on hardcore moments in pro wrestling history. The more hardcore the event, match, promo or moment the more I liked the book, comic, movie or video game I am reviewing. The less hardcore the moment, the more I disliked it. An example would be anything related to Hulk Hogan would be highly NOT recommended. Onto the review...
Today's review is of Smoke and Guns, the graphic novel by Kirsten Baldock and Fabio Moon. This was an exciting story from the jump. Baldock's pacing of the high and low action moments of this story are great. And Gabriel Moon's line work is amazing. This is the story of cigarette girls in a big city, ruled by districts. Think of the cigarette girls as roving gangs selling product you can only get from them. Think of an idea of a competitive market for tobacco. Remember the efforts that gangs go through to protect their territory and the lengths they will go to to delve into new territory. Each district set of girls has a theme of how they dress, The China Dolls etc. The story reminded me of Sin City and Old Town how the women their doled out their own brand of justice to those who crossed them. Now give the protagonist a real John McClane kinda cowboy mentality but in high heels and long blond hair. The story itself spins so quickly that you're done with it before you know it and you're wanting more. That's the way to pace a story. Always leave 'em wanting more. The action and characterization was fantastic and very un-Shakespearean in that this was not a tragedy. If anything it was more of an action comedy buddy cop flick kind of feeling. Riggs and Murtaugh, Nolte and Murphy, Biden and Obama. I mean the limits are endless. This was Baldock's first work in the comic's field, and Moon's first work without his brother. Both did an outstanding job and Baldock has left a gap now. She has to do another graphic novel. And soon. While not writing kick ass comic books, Kirsten Baldock can be found at Isotope the comic book lounge, selling comics or tending bar at one of the many Isotope after hours functions.
This is a tough grade to give, because I really want to give it a moment having female involvement in the history of wrestling. But you're in luck cause I just remembered one. Heat Wave 1996. The four way dance for the ECW World Television Title between then champion Chris "Lionheart" Jericho, Too Cold Scorpio, Pit Bull #2 and perennial heel Shane Douglas. The match sees Jericho eliminated first, with Pit Bull #2 aligning with Douglas to take out the man who pinned Jericho, Too Cold Scorpio. Then the unthinkable happens. Francine, the "Beast Master" and manager of the Pit Bulls turns on #2 and helps Douglas win the TV belt. For her betrayal Francine is Super Bombed through a table by Pit Bull #2. Shane Douglas uses a modified DDT on Pit Bull #1 and breaks his neck. Creating a devout hatred for the Franchise and helping him attain legendary heel status that lasted almost ten years until Gary Wolf (Pit Bull #1) fought Shane Douglas in a "Dog Collar" match at Hardcore Homecoming November Reign in 2005.

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