Griff Gristle – your new favourite mystical ass-kicker
Welcome to the Catalogue on this shiny New Comic Book Day. Remember issue 2 of my comic ramblings where I talked about the hilarious Papercuts & Inkstains from Madius Comics? Yeah? Well I found those guys via the kickstarter for a comic called Griff Gristle. It seemed to call to me, supernatural monster hunting fisherman described as kinda like Constantine on a boat… well okay then. The kickstarter funded successfully and I received my copy a little while ago plus all my backer goodies and I was NOT disappointed.
Written by Rob Jones and Michael Sambrook with truly gorgeous art from Rory Donald, Griff Gristle: Here Be Monsters is now available to EVERYONE.
In Here Be Monsters we meet Griff when he sets out to investigate some mysterious disappearances in Charlsberg. Armed with an assortment of occult tomes, mystical weapons and the most awesome diving suit you’re probably ever going to see, Griff plunges into battle against a host of watery wraiths.
I really loved this book. Like I said the art is awesome, there’s one splash page (splash, sea-based comic, hehe) that made my jaw drop. You’ll know when you get to it, trust me. But there are small joys too; reading the titles on the spines of the books when Griff is listening to the radio, pondering if that’s a holy hand grenade of Antioch or an empty bottle of Royal Chambord liqueur on the floor. Seriously…check out my tweet from my first read through.
Unsure if re-purposed empty Chambord bottle or holy hand grenade of Antioch… #crustyfisherpunk #griffgristle pic.twitter.com/IdCGmsQGmr
— Clare Hemsworth (@CiaraCobb) July 31, 2016
Bonus points for anyone who knows the original owner of the spear Griff uses ;).
Here Be Monsters builds a world littered with mythological references, hints at what’s to come, and characters that you want to know more about. For example: Justine is the sister of one of the missing fishermen and she teams up with a reluctant Griff to find her brother. She calls Griff on his shit, doesn’t take any of his guff and by the end of the story it seems like the crusty fisher punk has a side-kick.
Also included is a bonus story called Love Song. This epilogue gives a bit more back story on Griff and the love of his life, Betty. It also throws up references to previous adventures that I hope get explored at some point (flashback issue guys, you know you want to). Also if it doesn’t make you reach for Spotify with an urge to listen to The Cure for the rest of the day I’ll be disappointed.
Issue 2, titled Siren’s Song, is already in the works. The cover and artwork that’s already been teased looks bloody brilliant, and a kickstarter is on the way.
In the meantime pick up Griff Gristle: Here Be Monsters at the Madius Comics shop. It’s available as just the comic for £5 or you can get the comic, a print, bookmark, art card and badge for £10! Get yours (and the rest of the Madius back catalogue) here.
All images used copyright Madius Comics.
