Murder Most Mundane, Reviewed
Midsummer Murder meets Black Mirror with graphic horror? You should check out Murder Most Mundane by Ash Deadman, Clark Bint, Edward Bently and Robin Jones.
For those still in the mood for great horror, and those always in the mood, I offer Murder Most Mundane for your consideration. It must be noted firstly that i have only seen the directors cut black and white edition. As such, I can’t really comment on Edward Bentleys colours, but from what I saw on the Kickstarter page the muted yellows, browns and greens look to beautifully compliment the aesthetic of the art.
With that said let's get stuck into Clark Bints art, and boy does it shine. I mean no disrespect to Edward but in black and white Clarks pen work really does captivate. The style from the first panel gave me instant nostalgia for some of that early Brian Bolland, Judge Dredd, work. With a Lovecraftian edge to it, or an Edgar Allen Poe woodcut. Yet equally its own very unique thing. It is engrossing art that had me drooling over every panel. The approach to the more graphic horror is unrelenting in its visceral depictions without being outlandish. Just stunning.
Enough gushing over Clark let us get to that story. The Foreword for this fantastic book states that the inspiration came from the question, in relation to TV mystery shows “why doesn’t anyone mention all those murders?”. It's a very reasonable question. If there are fifty-two murders a year in a tiny village why doesn't anyone question it? The Foreword also makes a very entertaining read for a little insight into the very talented people who created this comic.
The body of the story centres around the quaint village of Fadfield, a sleepy one pub one shop village where everybody knows everybody. Enter one Detective Inspector Rutherford. A Serious Crime Unit and Specialist Crime seasoned DCI on reassignment after an “incident”. He’s picked up for his first day by the overly polite local Detective Sergeant Bonham, who reveals the villages biggest concern currently, is that of the fate of a little old lady's dog. Prepared for the dullest of assignments, and carrying such attitude, we are introduced to Superintendent Ellis. The stereotypical Ellis takes an instant dislike to our grizzled protagonist. But before he can receive his first dressing down they are interrupted with the news of recently discovered body. Maybe this village isn’t quite so sleepy? Rutherford quickly identifies foul play but things quickly take a turn for the weirder when he begins questioning the locals. It seems everyone is more occupied with airing grievances and gossip than the fact that a resident has died. A mystery begins to develop revealing an engrossing story that’s dashed with elements of Midsummer Murder, Lovecraft and Hot Fuzz. Yet still manages to be a very unique and original thriller.
Now is as good a time as any to pick up this awesome read, as the Kickstarter for “The Hanged Man” a prequel to Murder Most Mundane winds down. This is of particular interest to me as it will be a concertina comic book. A medium I had never heard of but which sounds fascinating and may be the perfect way to truly display that Clark Bint art. There is so much to this book and by the look of things its prequel that every self-respecting horror, mystery and comic book fan should have it on their shelf.
Review: 5/5.
