Amputation Capital Review

Amputation Capital is a new 5-part story from Tpub Comics. A dystopian present where celebrities and influencers can legally sell body parts on a publicly-traded skin market.

Sounds just like a story we'd expect to come out of Tpub Comics! With a story by Raymond Tyler and Neil Gibson, art by André Risso and Jed McPherson on lettering we had high hopes going into this.

Follow Alfie on his journey to becoming management at Skin Deep, the family-run business where big bucks are paid for human parts. It's questionable but legal.

So, as usual, let's start with the art. André Risso has quite a story to work with and uses this opportunity to flex their artistic talent. It's a style that's easy on the eyes that mixes up some detailed work with others left for colourist Liezl Buenaventura to shade and add texture. Some of the panels throughout show large areas of a room with the characters in the background and the perspective is always on point adding great depth to the panels. Other panels get real close to a character and although these panels are less rich in detail they still look great.

It wouldn't be a Tpub comic if there wasn't something going down that makes you question just what is going through everyone's minds. This is where Risso excels, adding details like an eye swelling among some other narley business. A splash page was shown on Tpub's social media that somehow looks even better when in the context of the comic (partly shown below).

Buenaventura works on colouring and does a fantastic job. Some panels are surprisingly bright whilst others get really dark where needed. There are textures too where it's not always necessary, like with some ceiling panels, that add a little bit extra to the pages and so are appreciated. Sometimes less becomes more and we see that occasionally as well. There are pages of a flashback when everything is muted with a sepia filter. There are nearly two pages where everything is in red showing the horror of the situation someone finds themselves in. It's all incredible work and the more you look at pages the more you can see how important a good colourist can be. I love a good black and white comic, but this just shows what a difference they can make to a coloured comic.

Jed McPherson letters and does a solid job. Everything is clear to read which is the most important thing, but there are some nice little details added in. When someone whispers the text is muted. Shouting not only gets a red-bordered speech bubble in some cases but it's always a slightly larger font. My favourite though is a nice subtle change in font when Alfie has his face smashed in. It's a cool little detail showing how his voice has changed from a few panels previous.

Now for the story. Raymond Tyler and Neil Gibson came up with something that as a concept is pretty out there. A world where people can legally sell body parts. We all know it's not going to all go as planned. There's always a twist or a surprise. This is no different.

The story is split over five issues with each one ending at a moment that leaves you wanting more. You need to see what is going to happen next.

There are a few major characters, but really this is Alfie's story. Right from the start it is clear that this is about him and how he wants to be management at Skin Deep. He's arrogant and the top salesman in getting celebs to sell a body part so feels that he deserves this more than anyone. Arrogant enough to promise the ring finger of one of the hottest celebs in town, Morgan Mainor, to prove that he really is top dog and should be the manager he so desperately wants to be. But as you'd be able to tell, it's not going to go to plan. Why would it?

Through the five issues, we are taken on quite a ride. Every issue takes a new turn with some surprises thrown in for good measure. Because it's enough removed from reality, Tyler and Gibson can really have fun with some elements. Sections will seem quite grounded and then you're quickly reminded how mad this world that they've created really is.

Naturally, with a story like this, there'll be questions. What are they doing with the body parts? Who is wanting to buy them and why? How has this become legal? You get some answers but not all and that's okay. You don't need all the answers. Where's the fun in that?

I was hoping for a more savage ending though. The ending suits the story with a call back to some earlier dialogue. It's a suitable ending and not what I was expecting. It rounds the story up and so I can have no complaints really. That it didn't go where I was expecting it to doesn't make it bad. And the little callback moment makes it worth it. Funnily enough, it's something I complain about when watching films or TV shows as I'm surprised it rarely happens so it's nice to see someone else thinking like this. 

Overall, this is your typical Tpub Comics story - beautifully drawn with a story that offers a few twists and surprises. It's gory where it needs to be, at times absolutely savage both physically and mentally. It's just a damn good read.  One that I'll happily add to my Tpub graphic novel collection when it's released.

Rating: 5/5

If you'd like to read the first issue for free, it is live on GlobalComix right now. Check it out: Read Amputation Capital Chapter 1 Page 1 in English Online (globalcomix.com)