Customer Reviews

Cry Wolf

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cry Wolf is a comic book about a detective named Kurt Angelo. Two weeks before his wedding, he is asked on a dangerous journey to find a missing man. So he marries his beloved Rita early and heads to Borneo. On the way he meets Sijan who plans to help Kurt as he continues his journey. However, Kurt's assignment becomes dangerous for both him and his wife. Readers will quickly devour Cry Wolf as they follow Kurt into Borneo. Readers will be fascinated as both Kurt and Rita fall into danger as well as the surprise ending.

This is a sort of hybrid approach to books that I had not seen before; part-soft cover novel, part-comic book. The story line is artful and imaginative with a brand new setting for the reader. The art-work enhances the story-line beautifully. I was able to read through Cry Wolf in one session and come away feeling taht I had spent my time well. I could see several episodes spun off of this excellent first effort.

Cry Wolf reminds me of those old time crime movies you see on Turner Classic Moives. Pictures like White Heat and even King Kong. The detective in the story is bitten by a gaint wolf and he also turns into a gaint wolf. His friend is killed by the same wolf but he changes the curse for the detective so that he doesn't kill the innocent. Only when the innocent are in danger or when there is a need for justice does the detective turn into a giant wolf. His friend has some kind of spiritual powers. I had a lot of fun reading this and I hope there are more stories. The art reminds me of Tarzan or Prince Valiant comic strips from the 1930's and 1940's.

This graphic novel has an extremely interesting concept, not at all like traditional tales of lycanthropy. While in Borneo, the central characters (KURT ANGELO) and his friend (SIJAN) are the innocent victims of a vicious wolf attack. Interestingly enough, there are no wolves in Borneo, which I feel only adds a certain flair to the story. The attack claims Sijan's life and renders Kurt as a battle-scarred victim. However, what I found so unique about the storyline is the fact that after the attack Kurt does not become a slave of the full moon like most werewolves. He doesn't resemble the half-man, half-beast sort of creature. Instead, with the help of Sijan's ghost, Kurt changes into a huge wolf whenever danger appears. Since the rest of the story takes place in Chicago during Prohibition, you can imagine all of the possibilities, when you consider gangsters such as AL CAPONE. Also, the film noir style of artwork adds to the overall feel of the story. I found this graphic novel to be a very enjoyable experience.

An adventure story that would be at home in any pulp magazine from the 30s or 40s. That's a good thing if you like the pulp formula, but not so good if you like your characterization a little deeper or your setting less cliche. The art is mediocre - it serves the story tolerably well, but it doesn't compare well to the high quality of art seen in many indie graphic novels these days. Recommended only for die-hard completist collectors of werewolf tales and fans of the pulp detective/horror genre.