In a small Midwestern town, a large man with a horribly scarred face gets off a bus, and takes a room. He spooks the locals--nobody knows him--or do they? It's impossible to say be-cause he seemingly has no face. The man's intentions remain unknown, until he takes on a corrupt sheriff and the rural crew of racist arms dealers. The town's impression of the man changes, and he's seen as a hero...until his real intentions bubble to the surface. The man isn't there to end the gang, but to take it over. And he's just getting started.
Aftershock's catalogue is setting the bar high; each subsequent release exploding into the comicsverse like a high-caliber round. This title is probably one of the most anticipated new releases that people are waiting for. I'm delighted to confirm that anticipation is more than realised in American Monster. It makes for grim reading, and will not sit well with you in places. The content will ask some searching questions of the reader and this is exactly what will make this a compulsory buy. The script and art is top drawer, and you get the feeling Brian Azzarello is just warming up with issue one. Grab your tin hat and get your bunker ready, we're in for one hell of a ride. Read Full Review
Aftershock is releasing a lot of really good books lately, and this is a great addition to their list. This issue is an amazing start to what I expect will be a really interesting series. Azzarello is doing a fantastic job of drawing us in, and it’s only the first issue! I can’t wait to see where he takes the series, and how his characters are interrelated, but I know it’s going to be good. Read Full Review
Other characters would try to avoid staring too long or making any sort of leading comment to him about his appearance. Once they did, Montclare would call them out on it. Then they'd either call him a dick or feel like s–t over what they said and apologize profusely because when they find out how he possibly came of these scars, they'd walk everything they said back and offer whatever they could out of feeling bad. Let me say, it's an interesting topic to touch upon. Leave it to comics. Read Full Review
Aftershock Comics is showing itself to be a creative force. The quality of the books, not quantity (take heed Marvel and DC) are simply breath-taking. It seems that by allowing creators to write what they want to write about, gives not only better stories, but also goes some way to treating their readership as adults. Yes, comics may still be seen as a “superhero” thing, but at this rate, Aftershock are showing what can be done with mature books, which the industry sorely needs, since it looks like, for the main part, DC has dropped the ball with its Vertigo imprint. Read Full Review
The strength of the creative team is what's going to drive American Monster at first and then I suspect the story and characters are going to completely grab us. There's a raw nerve that feels like it's being played with here to see what sticks and strikes and that's definitely engaging to watch – particularly with such beautifully disturbing artwork as we get from Doe here. A lot of opening issues make it clear exactly what the book will be like and you can tell from there the opening arc to some degree. Here, it's captivating because it's unclear what it's agenda is and where it's going to go. In a sea of predictability, that's hugely enticing and I can't wait to see more. Read Full Review
American Monster is the sort of book that reminds you that the world isn't a very nice place. That it never was. It's the sort of book that makes you ask yourself why you didn't flinch, and if you did, it makes you wonder if that's only because you're expected to. Read Full Review
Azzarello and Doe have given us a more than promising introduction to their collaborative style in "American Monster" #1. They have opened their tale by showing us a world that is hardboiled, mysterious, and peppered with violence and, at the end, hints of dark comedy. In a world bathed in blood and despair, Azzarello and Doe breathe beauty and nuance into a story that is only just beginning. After reading this debut issue, we want to know how much more monstrous this world will become in their hands. Read Full Review
This is a good start for the series, and another solid debut for Aftershock. I will no doubt be referring back to this issue as the series progresses to see how it all works together. Read Full Review
American Monster #1 did more than enough to have me returning for more, as despite not quite living up to my high expectations, it gave us a premise that showed great promise. The creative team also did a wonderful job of setting up three intriguing plots, with there being a fabulous sense of drama and symbolism throughout this opening issue. Read Full Review
Asking plenty of questions, and setting a good pace, American Monster is shaping up to be a doozy, and I for one am getting comfortable for the long haul. Read Full Review
'American Monster' allows us the chance to spend time in the dark scary regions of Azzarello's mind and it's gripping and irrestible to look away at even the most uncomfortable scenes. In Juan Doe, he's found a kindred spirit who loves to wallow in humanity's filth by framing this world in heavy lines, unique layouts, and bold designs. Who is the monster in the title? The thugs? The scarred man? Or is it Azzarello himself? I don't know but I can't wait to see more of this thrilling new series. Read Full Review
American Monster #1 is an intriguing debut for this gritty crime drama, if not an entirely cohesive one. Read Full Review
American Monster is well done, it truly is. It's just not a story that ever made me want to read more because of the completely unlikable characters that I couldn't make a connection with. I may visit this series again down the road since I love the creators involved, but it may be a while before I return. Read Full Review
What's noteworthy about this book is that all of the characters are rather distasteful, even the bored teens passing their time and earning some cash in an ugly way. While the characters aren't likeable, though, they're undeniably interesting. As I read this comic, I was put in mind of True Detective, Season One, as well as Southern Bastards. The stories aren't all that comparable, but I think it was more the atmosphere and the loathsome nature of key players. It's a promising start to a new crime series, but the enigmatic nature of the characters and events call for patience from the reader and trust in the creators. Read Full Review
I finished reading the comic a bit disappointed, but I think that's due to such high expectations. It sets up an interesting story, and interesting characters, but the segmented style of the story without much explanation left me a little let down. Still, I plan on continuing to see where Azzarello and Doe go with it all before a final verdict. Read Full Review
Azzarello has a track record miles long. A lackluster debut issue could be long forgotten by the time #2 rolls around. The art side of this title is what will keep me coming back in hopes that book lives up to its pedigree at some point. Fans of Azzarello's other darker creator-owned work will see some similarities here, but for me it hews a little closer to stuff like Southern Bastards. The difference is in the creative decisionmaking to emphasize plot or characters (or neither). American Monster looks to be a slow burn, but right now it's barely flickering. Read Full Review
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