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A review by jekutree
Head Lopper Volume 3: Head Lopper & the Knights of Venora by Andrew MacLean
4.0
Prior to this volume, I thought Headlopper would be a fun, mostly episodic series with maybe some references to prior volumes sprinkled throughout. But after this arc, I think Andrew MacLean lays out exactly what Headlopper is.
It’s probably the best use of the Hellboy model of storytelling since Hellboy and furthering that comparison Id say this is Headlopper’s Conqueror Worm. MacLean swung open the curtain revealing exactly what he has in store for us. He introduces a big bad, explains both Agatha and Nergal’s backstories and greatly expands on world building. To me, it serves as the end to the first act of Headlopper. Hellboy also comes out of the gate similar to Headlopper. Fun stories of a cool character in an interesting worlds. The world in both is rich with interesting characters and contain loads and loads of influence from outside material.
The formal elements of the book are also still a joy. MacLean is such a great cartoonist, his page designs and use of motion throughout are top top tier. In this volume I paid really close attention to his lettering which is one of the most unique styles of lettering I’ve ever seen in a comic. MacLean usually does large boxes for the lettering, usually at the edge and the same height or width as the panel is serves making it seem like it’s own panel. It gives the book a sort of subtitle feel instead of a traditional bubble style (which there is plenty of also) which is really clever. It has its downsides however, whenever there is a wall of text he shrinks the size of the font which isn’t that attractive. That brings me to another thing I disliked about his lettering was that he switches between hand-lettered and digital lettering throughout. An interesting idea, but it comes off as lazy to me since many of the parts that are digitally lettered are lengthier statements. I may sound entitled, he does write, draw and letter the whole damn book, but I’d say either go full hand lettered or full digital. The hand lettered Sfx are awesome tho. I still love the lettering regardless, it’s really awesome.
Headlopper still manages to be one of my favorite modern image books. It brings top tier art with innovative ideas that make my heart sing.
8/10
It’s probably the best use of the Hellboy model of storytelling since Hellboy and furthering that comparison Id say this is Headlopper’s Conqueror Worm. MacLean swung open the curtain revealing exactly what he has in store for us. He introduces a big bad, explains both Agatha and Nergal’s backstories and greatly expands on world building. To me, it serves as the end to the first act of Headlopper. Hellboy also comes out of the gate similar to Headlopper. Fun stories of a cool character in an interesting worlds. The world in both is rich with interesting characters and contain loads and loads of influence from outside material.
The formal elements of the book are also still a joy. MacLean is such a great cartoonist, his page designs and use of motion throughout are top top tier. In this volume I paid really close attention to his lettering which is one of the most unique styles of lettering I’ve ever seen in a comic. MacLean usually does large boxes for the lettering, usually at the edge and the same height or width as the panel is serves making it seem like it’s own panel. It gives the book a sort of subtitle feel instead of a traditional bubble style (which there is plenty of also) which is really clever. It has its downsides however, whenever there is a wall of text he shrinks the size of the font which isn’t that attractive. That brings me to another thing I disliked about his lettering was that he switches between hand-lettered and digital lettering throughout. An interesting idea, but it comes off as lazy to me since many of the parts that are digitally lettered are lengthier statements. I may sound entitled, he does write, draw and letter the whole damn book, but I’d say either go full hand lettered or full digital. The hand lettered Sfx are awesome tho. I still love the lettering regardless, it’s really awesome.
Headlopper still manages to be one of my favorite modern image books. It brings top tier art with innovative ideas that make my heart sing.
8/10