This is, essentially, a gimmick crime comic. Gimmick here is not necessarily a pejorative but instead acknowledges that it either has a specific approach to the story being told or is filtered through a specific lens. The specific approach to the story is so integral that it can’t be ignored and has to be considered. Your interest level in this book, and how you engage with it, will depend on how much the gimmick appeals to you.

Simply put, Knockturn County by James E Roche and Axur Eneas is a collection of short noirish inspired tales that are both written and drawn in the style of Dr. Seuss. For example, in the first story when the femme fatale appears, we get the following narrative/dialogue: “And THAT’s when it happened. An angel appeared! She’s like no other. And his heart had been speared!”

Here’s another example of what can be expected:

At 87 pages, Knockturn County doesn’t overstay its welcome, and that works to its benefit. It’s a fun take on the crime genre.

Availability: Print from the publisher|Kindle|Hoopla