Rex

by Danijel Zezelj

I've mentioned before how much I admire Danijel Zezelj's art work. From his underrated Congo Bill series at DC to his more recent work on Loveless and Northlanders, and including his illustrations in Harper's magazine, there is something about this artist that makes him stand out in my mind as one of the more unique people currently working in comics.

So, when I was at Fan Expo, and got a chance to pick up a copy of one of his European comics (in English) for only $10, I didn't have to spend much time thinking.

Rex is a hard and mean story, matching exactly the tone Zezelj so often sets in his work. Bill Orlowski, now called Rex, was a 'super-cop', until he was set up to take a fall and was convicted of trafficking drugs. As a famous police, he was, not surprisingly, unwelcome among his fellow cons, and subjected to seven years of rough treatment before getting exceptionally buff, escaping, and hunting down his enemies. That's about it for story, but you're not going to buy this comic for the story.

What stands out throughout this short book is the texture of Zezelj's art. This is a very dark book, and his thick lines and oppresive grey tones never leave you room for doubt about that. The book works best read in a single sitting, and will stick with you when you are finished.

This is published in North America by Optimum Wound, a publishing house with a lot of promise. Check them out, and pick this up.