Comic Book Review: The Big Bad Book

The Big Bad Book

Words by: Nikola Jajic
Pictures by: Sergio Giardo, Rick Hershey, Bob Cram, and Cliff Kurowski
Letters, Edits, Chapter Intros, and Additional Art by: Michael Czerniawski
Cover Art by: Sergio Giardo
Published by: Alterna Comics

For hundreds of years, different civilizations worshipped a variety of god pantheons. The Greeks worshipped Olympus, the Norse worshipped Asgard, and Egyptians worshipped Heliopolis. Nowadays we don't woship these ancient polytheistic pantheons, we mock them. Marvel's Incredible Hercules makes fun of ol' Herc and the ever dysfunctionaly Greek gods. Michael Avon Oeming's God Complex does the same. Joining that impressive lot is Nikola Jajic with The Big Bad Book.

We're quick to make fun on the more familiar Greek gods, but Thor and Norse mythology isn't done, save for Marvel's Warriors Three. Thor has always been very straight-laced. But Jajic steps in and gives us that Norse comedy we all crave.

In The Big Bad Book Thor and Loki are both after a book. The book chronicles Thor's many indiscretions. As Loki says, Thor fears "they may fear your meaty member more than your mighty hammer." So Dad has to step in. Odin says they must compete for the book. It will be placed in a mortal's possession and they must convince the mortal to give it to one or the other. The catch, each brother can choose what form the other will take in the same species. Thor, thinking himself clever, says Loki must appear as a clown. Loki does one better and says Thor must appear as a chimpanzee.

The poor mortal caught between warring brothers? Jim. Jim's life isn't that great before Loki and Thor stepped in. He has a job he hates, a sex obsessed roommate named Josh, and the hots for a girl from work, Debbie, whom he can't work up the guts to make a move. Then he starts seeing clowns and monkeys when no one else can.

What follows is a funny rollercoaster as Jim tries to live his life despite seeing a clown and monkey that no one else can see. There's poo flinging, possessions, and the debate over old school 70's porn versus modern porn. Also throw in a rivalry between Odin and Zeus and you have a funny, psychedelic tale.

The art is very good. Different chapters in the story have different artists, but Loki breaches the fourth wall to explain that he's trying to get someone to tell the tale accurately. Each artist's work is well done. Granted, Thor was supposed to be a chimpanzee and what we see is a monkey with tail, but that's ok.

This book will be available in February, so be sure to check it out. It's all fun and games...unless monkey poo puts an eye out.

Check out these links for previews and more information:

http://alternacomics.com/#/the-big-bad-book/4535752912
http://thebigbadbook.tumblr.com/

ISBN: 9781934985144
Diamond Order Code: DEC090644