30 in 30: pistolwhip by Matt Kindt & Jason Hall

#7: pistolwhip
Storytellers: Matt Kindt & Jason Hall
Publisher: Top Shelf
Year Of Publication: 2001
Page Count (can be approximate or in # of issues format): 120 pages

WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT WRITING / STORYTELLING:

The use of old-time noir radio can not only be used to convey setting, but it is also used, in pistolwhip, to ratchet up the tension of this noir story.  It was very effective and added to the overall feeling of the book in a natural manner without having to use exposition. 

 
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT ART / STORYTELLING:

Utilizing an extreme forced perspective is very effective in conveying a sense of discomfort/nausea/unease in a character – something that comics does very well, the ability of the visual language of the medium to convey the emotional or physical aspects of a character without having to use expositional dialogue.

 
RECOMMENDATION: A

NOTES / REVIEW / SYNOPSIS

This was a great read.  An early twentieth century American noir, the first chapter shows us the main crime that propels the narrative, and from there, each successive chapter moves back in time to show us each of the main characters – their pasts, their motivations, and the choices that led to the fatal incident at the end of the first chapter.  Then, the final chapter gives us a look at the mastermind behind it all, which leads to the end of this story.  This had great, economical writing with some of Matt Kindt’s earliest art.  Kindt has come a long way since then, but you can still see his distinct style in these drawings and it really elevates the book, in my opinion.  Highly recommended.