Henchmen #1
Writer: Jamison Raymond
Artist: Ryan Howe
Robot Paper, $3.99, color, 48 pages
The format of Henchmen is on the forefront of today's new publishing possibilities. It was funded by Kickstarter, and is available in e-form at www.henchmencomic.com/shop, along with a print edition ($3.99), a poster of the cover ($9.99), stickers ($0.99) and something called "Thug Pack" ($0.99, might be stickers, too). That's pretty cutting edge.
The story's not exactly normal, either. It's the story of a middle-aged guy named Gary, who is down on his luck and applies for a job, only to find himself as one of nine "Pins" dressed in papier-mache costumes following the "Headpin of Crime" on a bank robbery. Yes, it's a story told entirely from the point of view of one of those mysterious henchmen that super-villains always seem to have. There's a super-villain, and a superhero who shows up to fight him, but they are incidental to the story. Gary's story.
And it's good. Mainly because it puts a black-comedy spin on those awful experiences we've all had: "The interview." "Job Orientation." "Human Resources." "First Day on the Job." I didn't think anyone could make anything that miserable funny, but Raymond manages. Plus, he gives Gary sufficient motivation that we understand why a good man like Gary ends up doing bad things. His co-workers need less explanation, as they are from the outset professional losers, but they add color and depth to the story. Plus, there's a great ending I won't spoil here.
As to the art, it's passable. Howe's storytelling is clear; you can follow the action and tell who's who. He's still in need of a little professional polish, though, which may come with time. But for now 'tis enough, 'twill serve.
I don't know if that's enough for Henchmen to succeed. I hope so, because Gary's is a story that needs to be told! Well, not to his ex-wife. But we need to hear it!
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