Desperadoes (Western) (Graphic Novels)

by Cromwell & J. Ruffner

Publisher: Heavy Metal/Tundra (1992)

Hardcover, 86 pages

An over-the-top pseudo-western about three women desperadoes, The Prickler, Bertha Lou, and Razorblade, on the run from a motorized bounty hunter, Anatasia Fokoff, and her pet hyena. As you can tell from the names this is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek tale, but with a lot of violence attached as well.

The trio of heroines are violent representations of the three furies of Greek Mythology. Aged appropriately apart, they tear a bloody swath through an American West that never was. They fight everyone in their path to gain the mythic pot o’ gold of the West- the great train heist where a million dollars of gold is being shipped.

Published by Heavy Metal, the illustrated magazine. This was one of a series of graphic novels put out by the company in the 90s. The art is cartoons, but still grittiness enough so that the violent action still has impact. But the color palette is the biggest visual draw. It perfectly blends to create a muddy, bloody atmosphere.

In the style of Mad Marginals, at the bottom of each page is a silent vignette of people moving across to the West. Their travel begins light and quickly becomes more cab more desperate. On the opposite page an ever growing collection of vultures looks on and licks their lips at the carnage.

For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst.