Spite review - satirical spies and spiteful tech bros collide
How about two short stories about spitefulness born of an alliterative notification during a fan interaction at Thought Bubble that definitely doesn't have room for Sporks, in some bloody fantastic art? Take a breath and get yourself Spite from the definitely not spiteful Joe Stone and Matthew Dooley.
Joe Stone is a cartoonist and illustrator based in London. His previous work includes Left Overs, Stutter, Like Tweet Match Repeat, Neurotic Fiction and Five Months On Earth. When dealing with the real world, Joe works for Mother as a designer and art director.
Matthew Dooley is a Cartoonist and Graphic Novelist, once hailing from the North West but now residing in London. His previous works include the award-winning Flake, Aristotle's Cuttlefish, The Practical Implication of Immortality and Catastrophising. This dynamite, dynamic duo of Stone and Dooley have also collaborated on three previous split comics, the illiterately named Split, Splat and Sport. Freakily, fabulous, fantastic, fecund creatives introduced, let's have a review.
So, let's start with the art. They say never judge a book by its cover, but I don't think that rule applies to comics, unless it's another new Frank Miller variant #justsaying #sorrynotsorry #cheapshot #lowhangingfruit. Anyway, with a thrash metal-esque font and faux-painted cover, I think a few things can be learned. Firstly, these are unconventional or alternative-minded creators, or at least have a fun taste in music. And secondly, they don't take things too seriously. Finally, they're adept artists with a skill for visually funny, intriguingly beguiling, beautiful, ugly art. Over analysis of the ocular pleasing cover dealt with let's turn our attention to Joe Stone.
Joe illustrates Jonathan Bard VS The Agents of S.P.I.T.E. with a fun style with elements of a rudimentary influence of the Belgian artist who drew a very famous dog (tying back to the cover). Although thankfully, Milou never met the same fate. It's simple, bold art with a pleasing style, but it punches with great effect thanks to very strong storytelling and comic book format understanding. This is comic book art with maximum fun and impact. The fate of targets one, two and three is a wonderful couple of pages for funny visuals showcasing this talent and a very excellent sense of humour. All the character designs are entertaining, and special mention for the use of a certain piece of cutlery, which has never before, to my knowledge, looked so dynamic and dangerous. Damn good stuff. Now to Matthew Dooley and the art of Spite.
Matthew has a unique and distinct style I can best describe as soft underground comix. Its bold inks on watercolour dilute pastels create a really interesting dualistic art presentation. There's a real beauty to this art. A dirty darkness of delight. Another exceptional quality of this art is the unique panel perspectives Matthew presents that cultivates a unique melancholy emotion to the narrative while offering an interesting artistic experience of fly on the wall view. Matthew's attention to detail is as encompassing as a sweaty, warm embrace and adds a lot to the compelling, engrossing, transportive narrative. Although an unsympathetic protagonist, you are nonetheless completely on the tumultuous ride with Musk. Unique and beautiful like the iridescence in an oil spill. Art poured over how about some story?
Spite, much like the emotion, can be very fun. This comic proves that, and the theme of spite as an emotion runs through and encompasses so many elements of the narratives on offer, like a lava flow of old, cold British chip shop curry sauce. Spite as a construct stains every bit of this comic in so many clever and interesting ways. From the silliness of Joe's inclusion of a culinary instrument to the pitch black comedy of Matthews' "teddy bear moment". You can't help but marvel at the cleverness on display by these two creators.
Plot wise then, Joe Stone supplies a James Bond type parody of excellent execution in Jonathan Bard vs. The Agents of S.P.I.T.E. Every troupe is played exquisitely, right down to the bad double entrance. Stone subverts the spy genre at every opportunity to create a very excellent story full of funny moments. Matthew Dooley's Spite is a more high-brow affair of sorts with a slow burn and a sicker sense of humour. Following the exploits of a stereotypical Musk fanboy, the hapless, unlikeable soft potato of an individual navigates life as a technical support call operator while harbouring and harvesting a life fuelled by spite, which, in spite of everything, also manages to save his life. Refreshingly, there's no redemptive moment. Just a continuation of a blinkered existence that adds a nihilistic quality while also speaking to the futility of spite. Overall, a bit silly, pretty dark but very funny stuff.
It's italic interruption interval instant inquiring investment. Please support these fantastic creators. You'll see where you can do that in a second. Please also support us here if you're enjoying it with a share or some pennies with the Ko-fi. Cheers lovelies.
For fans of comics, spies, call centres, virtual reality, fan interactions influencing alliteration informed ideas interpreted into incredibly entertaining creative work, Sporks, revenge and spite in art that's beautiful in its own special way, no need to harm your nose to satisfy an idiom, just treat yourself to Spite from Joe Stone and Matthew Dooley.
To get your copy, the first place to be is the wonderful and exciting community harbouring awesomeness of conventions, the Yorkshire Comic Art Festival. It is, of course, Thought Bubble Convention at Harrogate Convention Centre on the 15th & 16th of November ( more info here). For more of the series that spawned this comic, check out Split Comic's bigcartel page. For more Joe Stone, check out JOE STONE COMICS, and for more Matthew Dooley, check out matthewdooley.
Review: 5/5.
