After a long, unexpected hiatus, “Ten Grand” returns sans artist Ben Templesmith. Filling his rather large shoes is C.P. Smith. Does Smith rise to the occasion, or does the loss of half its creative foundation a death knell for the young series? Read on to find out!
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Illustrated by C.P. SmithJoe Fitzgerald has crossed into Hell itself in an attempt to rescue Laura, the spirit of his murdered love who had been safely ensconced in Heaven (or someplace that looks a lot like it) before all the forces of Hell tore the veil to take her down into the depths of utter darkness. But why would they take her? Why would Heaven allow her to be taken? And what’s Joe going to do when he finally learns the secret behind her situation? Be assured that someone’s going down for this, and going down hard.
It’s been a full three months since we last delved into the dark misadventures of Joe Fitzgerald. Straczynski books are notorious for their tardiness, though the situation surrounding this particular series is understandable, though no less unfortunate. Forced to move on without Ben Templesmith, Straczynski recruited C.P. Smith (“Wolverine Noir”) to carry the torch. Thankfully, the transition goes relatively smoothly.
I say relatively, as Smith’s style differs considerably from Templesmith’s distinctive work. The contrast is so striking that Straczynski comments extensively on the change in the issue’s backmatter. While it’s true the two styles differ, that’s not to say Smith isn’t suited for the series. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find someone so adept at quickly capturing the spirit of the world of “Ten Grand.”
Smith’s moody style calls to mind the work of Frazer Irving, an artist who is no stranger to supernatural/horror comics. Smith’s use of minimalistic backgrounds, large monochromatic shapes, and negative images makes a for unique, yet bizarre take on the afterlife. The dismal blacks, greens, and reds accentuate the issue’s uneasy tone. There are a few points where Smith’s abstract illustrations come off overly muddled, obscuring the plot. This is particularly evident in the “Howler” section. However, Smith absolutely nails the issue’s “river-crossing” segment, crafting a memorable sequence that stands out amongst the rest of the issue.
On the story side, picks things up without skipping a beat. “Ten Grand” #5 is a terrific blend of big action, small character moments, and exciting high concepts. Two moments in particular stand out in this issue. One involves Joe’s crossing into the “other side” of purgatory. JMS recasts the mythical Charon as a shabby ferryman garbed in a reflective life vest. After all, Joe’s version of Purgatory is New Jersey. Joe’s short but poignant interaction with the ferryman calls back to his encounter with Julie the ghost in the last issue. The ferryman’s role in Joe’s story may never be larger than what is seen here, but this small glimpse into his life, thoughts and motives make this fictional world all the richer. Through this interaction we also learn some things Joe’s imminent future. This leads quite well into the issue’s second moment of note.
Having just come off a stint on “Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan,” it’s not surprising to see Straczynski revisit some of those themes and high concepts here. “Ten Grand” #5 features a blatant callback to “Watchmen” #4, but it avoids coming across as gratuitous or derivative. Being purposely vague to avoid spoilers, JMS plays around with the idea of time in the context of the afterlife in a way that I myself have often pondered, with interesting implications for the series moving forward.
Changing artists mid-arc is never optimal, especially in a singular story like “Ten Grand.” Ben Templesmith will certainly be missed. His ethereal, intricate line-based depictions of the spirits and powers of “Ten Grand” were a defining hallmark, and Smith’s negative image approach fails to match that uniqueness. Still, Smith proves two be a worthwhile addition to the book, and his collaboration with Straczynski shows a lot of promise. “Ten Grand” remains a strong read, and is more than worth a look by fans 90’s Vertigo-style stories.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – Buy.
