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Lost in the Wash "The First Half"

By Leroy Douresseaux
September 17, 2007 - 12:26

LOST IN THE WASH “THE FIRST HALF”

CANDLE LIGHT PRESS
WRITER: John Ira Thomas
ARTIST: Will Grant
72 pp., B&W, paperback

Lost in the Wash: “The First Half” is exactly what the title says – the first half of a new graphic novel from writer John Ira Thomas and artist Will Grant (The Scrounge Was Here!).  Thomas is a prolific graphic novelist and is currently producing books in three series: Man is Vox (2 books), A Tale of Shades and Angels (3 books), and Zoo Force (3 books).

Set in the town of Isco (formerly Francisco until “patriotic” locals removed the “France” from the name), Lost in the Wash focuses on Darin, a down and out 20 or 30-something who works at his uncle’s Laundromat.  His life is loser central, and his uncle is an extreme asshole.  The uncle is actually worse than the customers, but they’re bad enough, as for as Darin is concerned.  Then, one day, something wet, wicked, and monstrous pops out of a washer and devours a tiresome customer.  Darin decides that a monster in the washers is a good thing, especially if it will rid him of his main problem – rude customers.

But that’s not the only haunting Darin will have to confront.  The ghosts of his past are back.  Terisa, a local motel proprietress, operates a haunted tour for the tourists/suckers that pass through Isco and want to experience Gothic Colorado.  Terisa is also a figure from Darin’s past, and when they meet again, Darin suddenly has a hankering to know the truth about his parents, although he may not like how ugly it gets.

THE LOWDOWN:  John Ira Thomas is one of the more imaginative and experimental writers working in small press comics.  He has a knack for getting the most out of a page of comic art.  Between his exposition and dialogue and his script that becomes the graphic narrative, he is able to build complexity and depth in his narrative.  His stories are so much richer for what you read and what wealth of information the reader will get from each panel.  The art doesn’t just tell a story, or define characters, or establish setting; it also suggests the ideas and philosophies behind Thomas’ story.

Of course, Thomas has been blessed by working with very talented artists.  Will Grant is one of them.  On the surface, Thomas and Grant have created a horror comic that harkens back to the surreal madness of EC or Warren.  Grant takes it up a notch.  Every page is a gem of black and white art – a testament to someone who simple knows how to use the media, tools, and raw materials that are right for what he is trying to create.  The art Grant has created for this book is from the mouth of madness – a reflection of the lead character’s mental dilemmas.  Every page is a coiled rattlesnake waiting to strike.  It’s a wild ride, and you’ll have fun looking at these pages.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Lost in the Wash is a horror comic – a clever, smart horror comic, but still a horror comic.

B+

Visit the publisher's site at candlelightpress.com

 

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12