ALSO KNOWN AS review - Bugfuck awesome

(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Also Known As is a 2018 original graphic novel written by Tony Lee (Doctor Who) and illustrated by Christopher Jones (Batman '66). Published by British alternative publisher AAM Markosia, it's based on an upcoming film's screenplay which was plotted by Andrew Nicholaou (who also did the cover and logo) and written by Lee. Financed by BoxFly (who is the production company behind the film), it follows a soldier from the past whose job is to help people pass on to the afterlife. But when he sees someone from his past life, he gets caught in a cosmic conspiracy and must seek out the truth. But what that plot synopsis fails to tell you from the jump is how this comic is batshit awesome.


Christopher Jones could, at a glance, be viewed as the epitome of the journeyman artist. He's had a number of gigs throughout his career, never anything too substantial or acclaimed, but it's kinda always been thankless work. Also Known As is perhaps his most bold and eye-catching work to date, with its expressive characters and dynamic style. Sometimes, there are issues with visual storytelling that isn't as intuitive as you'd like or maybe you can feel the deadlines or whatever odd limitation(s) being run up against with some panels that aren't incredibly well drawn. But overall, it's great, fun stuff. Aided by Charlie Kirchoff on colors, who brings a great level of flair to the artwork. Then there is Aditya Bidikar, who is my favorite letterer working, bringing some great lettering, as per usual. Smooth, easy to read, effectively communicates story elements to you while still elevating the book's visuals. The cover art is pretty decent, even if it fails just as hard at telling you what to expect as a dry plot summary like mine in the preface would.


So yeah, this is a gonzo ass comic, to put it lightly. Its story is the most convoluted, absurd, and messy, goddamned thing you could read--and I love it. With a deft wink and a nod, it lets you in on the fun and leans into its inherent stupidity. But it's not the kind of book that will obnoxiously scream to you about how off the chain it is, so it never gets self-indulgent or up its own ass. That makes what could be the most repellent story on the face of the planet into a hilarious delight. But AKA's funny bone doesn't stop with its ludicrous storyline--this is a true blue riot, filled to the brim with charming bits of banter. And while the main character is a bit of a cipher, there is enough there there for the dramatic beats to land well enough.


This isn't to sweep under the rug some of the problems that can, and unfortunately do, come with a story like this that throws caution to the wind and goes full-on narrative cartoon. One particularly noticeable issue is how the pacing feels to be too quick in the final battle. When you've already set up these characters who have fun dynamics together, people are gonna want to soak in the bit where things come to a head. They're going to want that bit to be especially cool too, with callbacks or some other payoff to satisfy them. And those kinds of desires, as reasonable as they are, are not particularly serviced by the climax of AKA. It's still fun, but it never takes that extra step into being truly phenomenal.


Also Known As is like the kind of movie you sit around with friends to laugh at for being supremely awful. But it isn't awful in the slightest. I had a ball reading this, laughing my ass off, and I'd be down for the movie. Go read this if all that sounds fun to you. Also Known As gets a cool 8.5/10.

Great

Summary:
This is a fucking riot. Go read it (legally) on Graphite if you're hesitant to drop some cash on it but are interested. 

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