Story, Script and Characters Created By: Matthew Spradlin & Barry "Bazz" Wernick
Pencils and Inks By: Anthony Vargas & Chris Allen
Publisher: Bad Kids Press
What’s hotter than a beautifully buxom, sexually driven, aggressive female? Three provocatively drawn, sexually aggressive, buxom women.
Bad Kids Go To Hell is what would happen if the cast of The Breakfast Club had sex with the cast from Heathers and birthed a graphic novel riddled with detention, greed, sex, violence and a few good twists to keep things fresh.
Bad Kids Go To Hell is a fantastic page turner. The story line is compelling and evocative and the illustrations perfectly portray this. As far as graphic novels go this has got to be one of the more culturally relevant ones that I have had the pleasure of reading in a very long time. The story line plays into very popular ideas but mashes them together to give it a more authentic feel. The references within the text are subtle but effective. All too often literature or other mediums (television and film) are sullied with a plethora of references just to prove that they have a heightened awareness of pop or geek culture, whatever the case may be. Not here; very tasteful.
A bunch of rich kids are locked away in the half constructed new library for detention and their punishment is to complete an essay about the history of the school, Crestview, to be read upon the opening of said library. This assignment helps the students uncover some very eerie shit concerning the school, an old Indian burial ground and how the library attendees are all indirectly involved.
The events that follow are the heart of the story both the present plot and past encounters that display the interconnectivity of everyone.
Expect scenes filled with sexual suggestion, violence and drugs; just your typical day at school, right?
An interesting note: Bad Kids Go To Hell was original written as a screenplay and copyrighted in 2007 by Matthew Spradlin & Barry "Bazz" Wernick, but due to the Writers' Strike they were prohibited from selling their script and producing the film, so they began work at changing it into a comic series. They worked out a deal with Antarctic Press to publish all of their first print runs while maintaining 100% ownership and rights over their property. They are currently on their way to shooting the live action version of Bad Kids Go To Hell, with fan participation in the process of celebrity casting.
I would recommend this graphic novel to anyone. It has a little bit of something for everyone. Anyone who has been looking for a follow up to their love of The Craft and are willing to find it in another medium, this is where they should be looking. I give Bad Kids Go To Hell a letter grade of B for its compelling story which reminded me I really need to watch Heathers again, soon, but also for being very sexy and not smutty. The female lead characters are strong, independent, self sufficient and if that wasn’t sexy enough they prance around in their suggestive “school-girl” attire, but its often their wit or intelligence that makes them desirable. Whether you have a love for blonds, red heads or the mystical goth chick, don’t worry your wet dream is within the pages of Bad Kids Go to Hell. But hey there gals, don’t fret, there is also something here for you, too. The typical James Dean character, the mouthy jock, the shy, yet intriguing cute boy, its all here for us, as well. Without giving any of the plot away whatever you think is happening isn’t, you just aren’t that perceptive (kinda like the characters).
Enjoy! And don’t underestimate the power of your peers.
Comma Error Crew Rating: B
Thanks for the great write-up. We're glad you enjoyed it! We'll be sure to let others know how cool comma error is...
ReplyDeleteOne minor correction: we are published by Bad Kids Press.
Thanks for the feedback, it is much appreciated. Also, your correction has been made. :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent review. But B?
ReplyDeleteI like to think that I am stern, but fair. For me, there is a large gap between each letter grade and for good reason. A grade of "B" is fantastic, but an "A" would be exceptional, and although I really loved this graphic novel its not an "A" in my rubric.
ReplyDeleteIs that fair?