Broken Frontier

First of all, I have to admit that I have almost zilch background with Tank Girl, other than the fact that I loved the insane instant cult classic movie and that Tank Girl is dating Booga, who is some kind of mutated trash-talking kangaroo. Tank Girl herself is a bad-mouthed, aggressive, spitting, explosive and sexually active girl who loves driving a tank and is always working the outer regions of shady organizations, all the while being an outlaw for some random acts of weirdness. The fact remains that Tank Girl is a psychedelic trip, with high-paced action and many over the top moments.

This description already explains most of the outrageous elements which are included in every Tank Girl endeavor. For this issue, the creative team of Alan Martin and Rufus Dayglo (with notable color-action by Sofie Dodgson and lovely lettering by Den Patrick) must have been on something before starting, because the dialogue and one-liners as well as the art are all as immensely detailed and gripping as they are far-fetched and gritty. This makes for one interesting read and after reading this debut issue, you really want to pick up the second issue on the spot.

The jist of the story is that it revolves around a rift between Booga and Tank Girl, and this rift is also having ramifications for the geographical location on which they are exerting their combined rage. At the end of the first issue, we follow the conversation of some grizzly folks in white overcoats, who are discussing the success of Phase One. This minimal use of panels for that particular storyline is very well executed as some might glance over it and not really give it a second look. But I am sure that those folks will feel a need to reread it after seeing the second issue. Respect on that.

The dialogue by "Chopper" is gritty, tasty and filled with abuse and one-liners in the word-balloons and yet is rich, detailed and fitting in the overall narrative. These lines really deserve to be said out loud!

The artwork by Rufus Dayglo is detailed where it needs to be and explosive at just the right spot, making sure the trained reader is caught off guard at every turn of the page, and giving buyers true value for their money.

Titan did a bang-up job giving this first issue a royal treatment. The cardstock cover is lovely, not only because of the Janet Jackson spoof image on the cover, but the quality of the paper used is very nice and suits the experience of reading this issue to the teeth. The paper is less glossy (coated) than regular Image or Marvel comics and more card-like which feels genuine or even instantly vintage and is perfectly suited for this pulp character. The interiors are done mostly in two or three colors, with red highlights for explosions, sound effects, fire and such. I do wonder how it would work out if more detailed coloring had taken place. Truth be told though, this style of coloring does work and serves the purpose very well.

All in all, I am curious to not only read more about Bad Wind Rising but also I want to experience this trip that the creators seem to be on.