The Smell of Starving Boys (Western) (Graphic Novel)

by Frederik Peeters & Loo Hui Phang 

Publisher: SelfMadeHero; First Edition edition (December 5, 2017)

Hardcover, 112 pages

Amazon Listing  

The term "smell of starving boys" refers to sexual starvation among young homosexuals. Not sure if this term exists beyond the confines of this book, but it isn't a body horror graphic novel if that was what you were looking for.

This is a Western that in a way capsulizes much of the mythology of the old west. Three figures with desperate pasts go deep into territories West of the Mississippi River. Their exploration is as much about running away from the past as it is forging a new future. In the end, much of their activities are based on whether or not they want to help recreate the Eastern society they are running from.

There are your standard Western elements: stolen horses, campfires, bounty hunters, stampedes, and Indian attacks; but it also transcends above the material. There is a unique spiritual element to the story with is strange and compelling, with an open ended conclusion.

And a good deal of that transcendence stems from the incredible artwork. It has a rolling quality colored to perfection to capture the golden nostalgia of a West that never was. It reminds me of Mobius's Blueberry series in its simplicity and complexity mingled perfectly together.

For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst. 

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.