Jeff Lemire is a creator in the world of comics that has up to now passed me by, which is a shame given my penchant for none mainstream stuff and having just read Rich’s review of Essex County I think I’ll be getting hold of copies. From what I’ve read so far, Sweet Tooth continues in this very off beat vein.

The world of Sweet Tooth is a grey post apocalyptic place, where every human is at risk of being struck down by a terrible and unexplained sickness, it is in them all, and even if they’re walking around breathing, it will kill them. All humans that is, apart from the hybrid children that where born after the disease first appeared. Half human, half animal, these kids are immune and as you can well imagine, the survivors prey on the, hoping to cure themselves. The main characters are Gus, a young hybrid with very prominent antlers and Jeppard, a hard bitten survivor whose motivations remain unclear.

The writing in Sweet Tooth is interesting as Jeff Lemire shows his indie heritage with brilliant characterisations and really touching and moving moments. This is juxtaposed with some truly visceral violence, often just after one of these moments of utter poignancy. These almost jarring sensibilities give the story some real power, Gus is a true naïf, all innocence and wonder at the world around him and his obvious shock and possibly even revulsion at the things Jeppard does is almost palpable. Yet what ever his motivations Jeppard has taken Gus under his wing.

Now given how new the series is (I picked up #3 last week) so I’m not going to go into too much depth, but will say, if you like the off beat, and comics aren’t just about capes, big guns and explosions, then Sweet Tooth should be right up your street.

Jamie