Primarily, I am not a fan of novels turned comics. I feel like they’re long, drawn out, and they generally lose my interest by the time the book is half way finished. In this fashion, I thought that I Am Legend made a great comic because it was a short enough story that it was capable of fitting into a small book. This information aside, when reading a blurb about Freak’s Amour by Tom DeHaven and produced by Dark Horse, I literally couldn’t stop myself from picking it up. Some of the human race stricken with radiation poisoning in a functioning world? Rape Bars? Mutated goldfish eggs being the best drug on the market? Count. Me. In.
This book is chillingly awkward. It takes place in a parallel time span where the protagonist is born in the late ’80’s. There is a nuclear blast that takes place in New Jersey (go figure) that horrifically mutates some of the United States inhabitants, including all animals except cats. This leaves for some persecution drama. Fighting for mutant equality? That sounds familiar. However, there is no PG Marvel rating cosigned on this series, which makes for a highlight. A typical hangout for these young mutants is at a bar, but no ordinary bar is theirs. It’s a rape bar. Where mutants rape each other on stage in front of a mixed crowed of genetically scathed and unscathed viewers. The audience can pay for objects to hurl at the stage thus creating revenue for the establishment. Pretty sick, right? The mustangs exploit themselves in this fashion all in hope of gaining some money.
The story follows two brothers, Grinner and Flour. Both boys come from a family where both parents were mutated during the blast. The father, or Da, willingly accepts the genetically flawed cards he is dealt and makes the best of it, the mother on the other hand wears twenty pounds of make up and resents everyone who is flawed. Grinner has a relationship with another mutant girl, Reeni. Flour discovers by eating his goldfishes eggs that they create a catatonic, near death like state that can obviously be sold as a drug. Also, only to earn money.
Why are these young diseased post apocalyptic inhabitants chasing paper? Simple, there is a surgery that can correct the flaws that a nuclear explosion out of their grasps had created.
This book is strangely satisfying with a lot of tributes to todays society. There is a functioning government that includes welfare for mutants who can’t get jobs. Mass government cover up speculations exist as well. A lot of pretty intricate stuff.
The art is fantastic. The whole novel is down in greyscale sketch, which is the perfect creepy touch. Phil Hestler is the man responsible for bringing horror to the pages and might I say he does a fantastic job. Creating mosters of human beings that can still be identified as human must be an extensive challenge in itself. The genius behind Darkness and Wonder Woman nailed it.
This novel comes out May 15th, and it’s an absolute must buy.

List of Creators:
Writers:Tom DeHaven, Dana Marie Andra, Gary Panter
Penciller: Phil Hester
Artist:Gary Panter
Inker:Ande Parks
Cover Artist:Charles Burns