The Loose End by Dwonch and Hymel is a fun, Tarantino-esque comic caper
The Loose End graphic novel collects issues 1-4 of this new crime comic and is a lot of fun.
Written by Dave Dwonch, with art by Travis Hymel, The Loose End is fast paced and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
What’s it about?
The story uses non-linear story-telling at the start to get you straight into the action. It’s a tale of a writer who gets into trouble with the mob and ends up going on a stag do to Mexico. While there he gets into a completely new load of trouble and things get violent.
The start is an often told set-up, but it was done well enough to keep me interested and soon things went in a direction that I didn’t see coming. And was really fun to read.
It essentially asked the question: What if a load of self-important action actors, who have real martial arts and weapons training, got into a dangerous situation?
It is very believable that a load of egotistical young men would get into trouble somewhere like Mexico. But it is also believable that they might be full enough of themselves to think they can fight back.
Imagine if someone like Keanu Reeves, Matt Damon, Jason Statham or Tom Cruise got into trouble. I’ll admit they are arguably bad examples as they seem to be nice people, but my point is, they have genuine skills. They have all had martial arts and gun training, have been taught stunt driving, can ride horses, and in Cruise’s case, can mountain climb, fly planes and helicopters, and even hold his breath for six minutes.
I thought it was a great idea and it was done well in The Loose End. The writing and art are spot on, and it was refreshing to read a good old fashioned straightforward action / crime tale. Think Tarantino mixed with Elmore Leonard. With a dash of Goodfellas. To give you a taste, here is a bit at the start.
My only real negatives was that the main group were a little hard to distinuish at first. But – mild spoiler I guess – their numbers are thinned a little and I soon identified and recognised the rest as their characters are fleshed out. And they’re good characters.
I really enjoyed The Loose End. If you’re after a fun crime ‘caper’ with a lot of action, you should check it out.
Here’s the official blurb:
The Loose End
In-debt screenwriter Steven Hollis is handed a ticket out of his dead-end lifestyle when the mob tasks him with killing the biggest exec in Hollywood.
Fans of Goodfellas will love this Hard Case Crime graphic novel from the writer and artist duo of Dave Dwonch and Travis Hymel.
The award-winning imprint Hard Case Crime presents a wacky story of guns, ganja, and gambling from writer Dave Dwonch and artist Travis Hymel.
Steven Hollis is a mild-mannered scriptwriter with a love for risk and reward. When he gambles his way into debt, the Mob offer him a one-way ticket from under their thumb. All he has to do is kill the biggest Hollywood executive in the industry…
However, plans derail when a trip to Mexico City turns sour. A drug deal gone wrong sets the cartel on the hunt for a rag-tag group of actors, writers and executives as they have a no-holds-barred standoff!
If you’re a fan of cinema classics and a totally balls-to-the-wall action adventure, this is the book for you!
The Loose End graphic novel collects The Loose End issues #1-4.
Order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Forbidden Planet for the UK & Europe.
ABOUT CREATORS
Dave Dwonch has been a writer and artist producing comics for nearly two decades. He has penned several titles, most notably Jenny Zero (Dark Horse), The Automaton (Hellbrain), The Loose End (Titan Comics) and Vamplets (Scholastic). He lives in Colorado with his very supportive wife and their two neurotic cats.
Travis Hymelis an American illustrator and artist known for his work on books such as the ArkWorld series as well as his work on Trailer Park Boys, G.I. Joeand the widely popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Geraldo Filhohas been coloring comics since 2007 and is based in Brazil. Geraldo has partnered with Dave on several titles, including Jenny Zero (Dark Horse), Infinite Seven (Action Lab), and the upcoming all ages title The Unbearable Grizzlyboy for Hellbrain Productions as well as Savage Squad 6 (Dark Horse) with Jenny Zero co-creator Brockton McKinney, Robert Venditti and Dalts Dalton.
