Pop Gun War

      Strange. Artsy. Gothic. This is the only way I can describe the comic book Pop Gun War. The cover of the comic alone is enough to catch anyone's attention. On the cover stands a little Black boy (African-American for the politically correct), dressed in a pair of black knickers, a white shirt, bow tie, and a pair of wings strapped to his back. He has this half menacing half, pitiful look that almost hypnotizes any passerby to at least sneak peek at this comic. The comic is dark, and the artwork literally screams at you despair, sadness, anger, negativity, with a little bit of hope splashed in. I have not read comic in a while where the artwork was so seductive. If you are a fan of the anime Serial Experiments Lain then you would appreciate this comic book.

      The story begins by showing the little boy, known as Sinclair, gains his wings. Someone else disregards the wings. Actually a punk rocker type (who looks like Flea from the Red Hot Chili Pepper) comes hurdling from the sky into a building and has the black wings sawed off of his back. This begins a strange tale of death, little girls in rock bands, thugs, mind control, and how music can calm the savage breast.

      Sinclair has a 'little' sister (she is his older sister but she looks about six or seven), with pig tails protruding from her head (the hairstyle is reminiscent of my youth), who is the leader of a rock band called the Emilies. Apparently Sinclair and his sister are orphans, because Sinclair speaks of dreaming of his parent's wedding, though he was not even born yet.

      The wings Sinclair has are very powerful and even allow him to fly. He is able to go up against some bullies who were harassing a vagabond with some kind of mind control technique. On flight from the bullies, he is drawn into the apartment of an elderly man who likes to label everything, including his cats. The man dubs Sinclair "Boy with Wings", but Sinclair refuses the label and proclaims "I'm never getting old."

      So far I have only read the first issue, which cost two dollars, a bit steep for twenty-two black and white pages. I feel this comic has potential, but not a series. Like the other Indy comics I have reviewed in previous issues. I think that more artists need to take the risk and create graphic novels. I suggest the creator not try to put this comic in a mainstream comic book store. I think if the graphic novel option is not feasible that the artist should try to link up with the Gothic clothing and accessory chain Hot Topic. This is a very niche oriented comic book, and the crowd that shops there would appreciate this work.

      Perhaps one day this comic will become an animated series? It definitely has the potential. Fans of the comic please drop me a line and let me know what you think! Send all comments, questions, and hate mail to JenniferJ@ybfree.com.

Back to BANDWIDTH's Main Page