Farmhand Vol. 1: Reap What Was Sown
Created, written & drawn by Rob Guillory
Image Comics, 2019

I was not a fan of Chew, the hit Image series written by John Layman with art by Rob Guillory, so this one was not on my radar. Since the art is again Guillory's the visual similarities should be expected. But the concept and writer's voice are also similar, making this an impressive debut for Guillory the writer (he already won a Harvey award for Best New Talent in 2010 for his art on Chew, and the series won two Eisner awards). This is another "weird science" story: the Jenkins Family Farm grows bio-agricultural replacement human organs.

But the story proper begins with Zeke Jenkins and his family preparing for a visit to the farm. Zeke has been estranged from his father Jedidiah (part of a long line of farmers and inventor of the stem cell that was combined with plant DNA to create the bio-engineered plants grown on the farm). Family drama will form a large part of the story, grounding the surreal science. There is plenty of drama in the family's relationship with the small nearby town of Freetown as well. And history: especially with Jed's former associate Monica Thorne (who also happens to be running for mayor).

There's more: mysterious Russian agents out to steal the stem cell secret; an old friend in town who opposes the work of the Farm; and signs that the Farm's mutations have spread in uncontrolled ways, with unexpected results. These include mutant animals in town, weird new effects in patients who received the replacements, and a secret that Thorne has been keeping (as well as a military connection Zeke's sister Andrea is apparently still serving). Quite a rich opening arc, with lots of possibilities. Not surprisingly, the subject matter is perfectly suited to Guillory's cartoonish visual style (exaggerated, almost parody-like facial expressions are a specialty).  He gets to write what he likes to draw!

 

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