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THE WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF #1

story PAUL GRIST, art & cover PAUL GRIST

Image Comics32 PAGES, FC, $3.50  

BEGINNING A BRAND NEW ERA IN THE LIFE OF

Castletown is home to giant robots, vampire reporters, victorian escape artists and also

John Smith is a builder. He also seems to be a superhero, only he doesn’t know about that. The only thing he knows is that a lot of people want him dead. And the only weapon he has to protect himself with is a wooden stick…

Well,if you have been a Jack Staff reader from the beginning you’ll know all this.  I have to admit that,since my order was screwed up and so I missed it,I have no idea if any of this links into Conflicts Of The Eternal Warrior.  But it seemed a long time since the last Jack Staff appeared in stores.  I had no idea what to expect with The Weird World Of Jack Staff and taking a certain store owner’s word for it,assumed it was just a tie-in series.

Luckily,there is a WWOJS Face Book page!  So,you can keep up-to-date and get peeks there.  The link is:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Weird-World-of-Jack-Staff/222580785952

Just to make it clear through my blathering,this is a relaunch.  “Why?” you may ask.  The answer is simple and the much talented Mr Grist explains in this first issue. 

Fans will know that all sorts of characters from Ben Kulmer[aka:The Claw],to a certain father and son who are vampyre hunters –though the father is now a vampire as well as a red-haired reporter called Becky Burdock who happens to be a vampire reporter –the list could go on.  What tends to happen is that Mr Grist “goes with the flow” so Jack Staff may not actually appear in the book with his name on it.  So,a name change is less confusing.

The opening page looks minimalist until you check out those buildings.  Strangely enough,this has a weird effect and sets the tone for what is to follow.  And what a start!  Commander Hawkes in his flyer seemingly on a collision course with Castletown!  Glimpsing of a future battle! Escapologist Charlie Raven in chains in 1875 while Professor Fate is about to ensnare a certain John Smith [in 1875?!!].  Then back to 2010 Castletown where John Smith turns up for work …three weeks late!  And more:on meeting Becky he has no idea who she is –or who Jack Staff is!!!!!

And belie-it-or-not,Dear CBOer –there is even more!!!!

Grist is on fine form and there is some lovely colour work here.  If you have not read Jack Staff  well,your loss.  I’d highly recommend you get out there and get The Weird World Of Jack Staff no.1  for a great read and smashing visuals!

11 out of 10 

[I know that can’t be but I’m thinking on a quantum level here].