Bad Dog

[JoshuaCee]

Anyone else pick this one up? I picked up the first two issues but haven't read the second yet. For books that I really, really enjoy or think I'll really enjoy, I tend to put them off until I have the time to devote to them instead of ravenously rushing through them just to find out what happens. After finally reading the first issue, this book falls into the category of being a book I really, really enjoy.

The premise is pretty simple. There's Lou, a werewolf who has such a distaste for humanity that he chooses to remain in his wolf form at all times. He's a bounty hunter, partnered with Wendell, a loudmouth, perverted ex-preacher. They hunt bounties. Hilarity ensues.

What I liked about the first issue was that you actually get a complete story. We get to know the main characters and we see them in action. While there are bits that hint at an ongoing plot, you don't get the feeling that you got a portion of a story.

Joe Kelly really works the character driven moments in well with the action oriented scenes. It's a very well paced book with great dialogue. He seems to be on a roll with this, I Kill Giants and Four Eyes.

And the art is great. It's got a painterly effect that works well for the desert setting. The character designs are fantastic. Greco draws some great expressions on Lou in particular.

So has anyone else given it a look? Any thoughts?

[dan bailey]

I really liked the first issue as well. I'll be getting #2 (same with Four Eyes) once payday arrives & I can reactivate my HeavyInk subscriptions.

[JoshuaCee]

I really liked the scene between Lou and the war vet in particular. It's interesting to see people react to Lou's appearance. I mean, he is a werewolf. But at the same time, he's a really approachable guy, so most people just have an, "Eh, whatever," mentality.

And it's clear that whatever ill will Lou holds toward the human race, it pales in comparison to his enormous heart.

I really hope the sales are able to sustain a good long run. I really think this has the possibility of being Image's next big hit.

[dan bailey]

I have to say I was very much on the fence about whether to buy this, given my general lack of interest in the "traditional" monster types (vampires, werewolves ... for instance, I have no interest in Kirkman's Astounding Wolf-Man), even though I'm a huge horror fan in general.

Luckily, my LCS owner put it in my stack a few weeks ago, & Kelly's portrayal of the character grabbed me immediately.

[JoshuaCee]

Yeah, I'm much more a fan of using traditional sci-fi/fantasy tropes as jumping off points, as oppsed to jumping on points.

This basically sums up the difference between Bad Dog and Astounding Wolf-Man.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

I really enjoy "Bad Dog" too. The further adventures of Lou & Wendell look as though they're gonna be a lot of fun.
Joe Kelly really handles edgier characters excellently and with great aplomb.
I'd love to see him have a shot at Punisher MAX at some point because I think he'd do well on that title too.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

Oh, and a quick question, if I may? Do you have any news on when Bad Dog #3 is due for release? Oldschool and I were discussing this via p.m. but couldn't find any info on when the next issue is coming out.
Any help would be appreciated!:biggrin:

[JoshuaCee]

I haven't seen a release date, but #2 came out a month after #1, right? That's a good sign. Hopefully Kelly and Greco can keep up a good pace.

On a side note, I noticed that one of the esteemed moderators has modified my original post. In it, I explained that there had been a previous Bad Dog thread, but that it had been deleted due to the moderator GRANT! feeling that the original poster had not included enough substantial content.

So why was this edited out of my post? I mean, it's not like it's not true. :confused:

EDIT: Heavy Ink lists Bad Dog #3 as shipping April 22.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

I haven't seen a release date, but #2 came out a month after #1, right? That's a good sign. Hopefully Kelly and Greco can keep up a good pace.

On a side note, I noticed that one of the esteemed moderators has modified my original post. In it, I explained that there had been a previous Bad Dog thread, but that it had been deleted due to the moderator GRANT! feeling that the original poster had not included enough substantial content.

So why was this edited out of my post? I mean, it's not like it's not true. :confused:

EDIT: Heavy Ink lists Bad Dog #3 as shipping April 22.

Thanks for the info, JoshuaCee! I'll let Oldschool know so he'll probably visit this thread too.
I figure the more of us that discuss this book, the better. :biggrin:

[JoshuaCee]

The more the merrier. :smile:

I noticed with the solicit for #3 on Heavy Ink that there wasn't a cover. They just used interior artwork from #1. Hmm. I hope that doesn't mean it's going to be delayed.

I want to read #2 now, but I don't want to wait so long between issues. The problems of a comic book reader. :frown:

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

The more the merrier. :smile:

I noticed with the solicit for #3 on Heavy Ink that there wasn't a cover. They just used interior artwork from #1. Hmm. I hope that doesn't mean it's going to be delayed.

I want to read #2 now, but I don't want to wait so long between issues. The problems of a comic book reader. :frown:

I know what you mean, I hate books being delayed. I love the Lone Ranger by Dynamite but it seems an eternity since the last issue came out.
I really hope "Bad Dog" doesn't became a victim to delays because it'd probably drive me insane.:biggrin:

[dan bailey]

So why was this edited out of my post? I mean, it's not like it's not true. :confused:


GRANT! moderates in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform.

[JoshuaCee]

I Kill Giants shipped on time, didn't it? If not, I don't remember any big delays or anything.

[dan bailey]

Yeah, I'm much more a fan of using traditional sci-fi/fantasy tropes as jumping off points, as oppsed to jumping on points.

This basically sums up the difference between Bad Dog and Astounding Wolf-Man.

I think you're right. My only exposure to Astounding Wolf-Man is the FBCD premiere issue & the character's appearance in the first half of the crossover with Invincible (I'd have picked up the 2nd half, which took place in Astounding Wolf-Man itself, if I'd been a little quicker on the uptake ... it now appears to be somewhat hard to find, not that my life is ruined or anything).

[dan bailey]

I Kill Giants shipped on time, didn't it? If not, I don't remember any big delays or anything.

Seems like there might have been a couple of delays of a month or so. I could certainly be wrong, though -- the fact that I got most of them through HeavyInk means that shipping (through no fault of their own) could take anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks, depending on how the USPS was feeling at the time.

And of course Four Eyes #2 was quite late. Oh, well -- I'm far more intolerant of delays than most, but there are times when quality truly is worth waiting on.

(Or so I keep telling myself.)

[JoshuaCee]

GRANT! moderates in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform.

So I've noticed.

I think you're right. My only exposure to Astounding Wolf-Man is the FBCD premiere issue & the character's appearance in the first half of the crossover with Invincible (I'd have picked up the 2nd half, which took place in Astounding Wolf-Man itself, if I'd been a little quicker on the uptake ... it now appears to be somewhat hard to find, not that my life is ruined or anything).

Yeah, I haven't been able to find that issue of Astounding Wolf-Man either, and I've looked pretty hard.

I wonder if sometime down the line, if and when Bad Dog heats up, if there'll be a crossover between Lou and the Astounding Wolf-Man. That could be fun.

[JoshuaCee]

Seems like there might have been a couple of delays of a month or so.

And of course Four Eyes #2 was quite late. Oh, well -- I'm far more intolerant of delays than most, but there are times when quality truly is worth waiting on.

(Or so I keep telling myself.)

I actually haven't read Four Eyes #2 yet, specifically for the purpose of wanting to wait until I have #3. The thing I hate the most about the long delays between issues is forgetting the previous issue completely.

[GRANT!]

Joshua do you want to talk about the comic or complain about board policy? Because this is not the place for the latter. Move on and let it go.

[Congo Jack]

Predictably enough, I really like this book. Patiently waiting for the second issue to arrive.

I always knew I was going to like the writing, since anything by Joe Kelly is golden, but to find that the art was also excellent was a welcome relief.

Is BAD DOG an on-going?

[JoshuaCee]

The second issue shipped last week. And I do believe it is an ongoing series.

[Congo Jack]

The second issue shipped last week.

And I do believe it is an ongoing series.
Yeah but mine get sent out in the post and don't come 'till the end of the month.

Excellent. Thanks.

[Gitaroo_Dude]

It's an ongoing that'll be taking breaks in between arcs.

But yeah, I'm all over this series. Kelly is on fire right now with the entirety of his output.

The banter between Lou and Wendell is both issues is spot on. And Lou by himself is a great protagonist. I'm looking forward to following his journey.

And Kelly really has an eye for artists. So far, he's gotten Nimura, Greco, and Fimura on his Image titles, and each one has been a perfect find imo.

[JoshuaCee]

I finally had some time, and I read Bad Dog #2 last night. I don't want to do a full review, but I will say that it's an amazing issue. Like Gitaroo_Dude said, the banter between Lou and Wendell is priceless. Greco does a fantastic job with the facial expressions and the body language. It's subtle when it needs to be, and over the top when the script calls for it.

And I'm really interested in learning what the deal is with the head in the fridge.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

And I'm really interested in learning what the deal is with the head in the fridge.

Me too!
Knowing Joe Kelly's writing, I'm sure that he'll have a great explanation worked out for it.

[Blotto99]

Anyone else pick this one up? I picked up the first two issues but haven't read the second yet. For books that I really, really enjoy or think I'll really enjoy, I tend to put them off until I have the time to devote to them instead of ravenously rushing through them just to find out what happens. After finally reading the first issue, this book falls into the category of being a book I really, really enjoy.

The premise is pretty simple. There's Lou, a werewolf who has such a distaste for humanity that he chooses to remain in his wolf form at all times. He's a bounty hunter, partnered with Wendell, a loudmouth, perverted ex-preacher. They hunt bounties. Hilarity ensues.

What I liked about the first issue was that you actually get a complete story. We get to know the main characters and we see them in action. While there are bits that hint at an ongoing plot, you don't get the feeling that you got a portion of a story.

Joe Kelly really works the character driven moments in well with the action oriented scenes. It's a very well paced book with great dialogue. He seems to be on a roll with this, I Kill Giants and Four Eyes.

And the art is great. It's got a painterly effect that works well for the desert setting. The character designs are fantastic. Greco draws some great expressions on Lou in particular.

So has anyone else given it a look? Any thoughts?

Wow. My view of this book is diametrically opposed to yours and most of this thread. I couldn't get through the first issue. I stopped not even halfway through and just turned to the last page and closed the book. The werewolf looks like Smokey Bear. The "foul-mouth former preacher" seemed totally pretentious and forced. I didn't find any of it humorous. I haven't disliked a book so much in quite awhile.

[dan bailey]

Different strokes, of course. For instance, I found the one & only issue I read of ... let's see ... Vertigo's Young Liars almost nauseatingly godawful, but others love it. Morrison's Seaguy I found downright insulting in its inspid ghastliness; others swear by it. Ad infinitum.

[JoshuaCee]

Wow. My view of this book is diametrically opposed to yours and most of this thread. I couldn't get through the first issue. I stopped not even halfway through and just turned to the last page and closed the book. The werewolf looks like Smokey Bear. The "foul-mouth former preacher" seemed totally pretentious and forced. I didn't find any of it humorous. I haven't disliked a book so much in quite awhile.

Haha, now that you mention it, Lou does sort of resemble Smokey the Bear. I think it's just the cuddly nature of furried animals. And I like that, unless Lou is provoked, he has an approachable look. Yeah, he's a werewolf, but he's not a mindless beast, staking the night, y'know?

As far as Wendell goes, I like the little bugger. You get deeper into his personality in the second issue and he comes off as more than one dimensional character. He's basically a freeloader, living in Lou's place and eating Lou's food. Because of that, Wendell's happiness is directly related to Lou's happiness, and so he's constantly trying to cheer Lou up and make sure his buddy's okay. Because if he's not, who's gonna buy the drinks?

Oh, and and as far as Young Liars goes, I absolutely love that book, too.

[dan bailey]

Oh, and and as far as Young Liars goes, I absolutely love that book, too.

And you seemed like such a promising young man ...

(Obviously, that one's just one of my all-too-many blind spots. Just as well, since I buy way too many comics anyway, as noted previously.)

[JoshuaCee]

And you seemed like such a promising young man ...

(Obviously, that one's just one of my all-too-many blind spots. Just as well, since I buy way too many comics anyway, as noted previously.)

Heh. Young Liars started off as one thing, but as someone who's read Lapham's work before, I knew what I was getting the first couple of issues was only a fraction of the larger picture. Now that we're 13 issues in, the bigger picture is even bigger than I imagined, and I have no idea what's in store next. That's what I like about it.

[Jimmy'sFriend]

This book was painful. I thought some moments were amusing, but it all felt too forced. I was like an Ellis wannabe.

He did look like Smokey Bear.

[JoshuaCee]

I didn't get an Ellis vibe at all. And I've read a lot of Ellis....

[Gitaroo_Dude]

Yeah, not sure how you can get an Ellis vibe from a book that even the author admits owes so much to Ennis.

Oh, and Young Liars is fantastic. I think it's one of the few books left that really works best in the monthly format rather than trades.

[JoshuaCee]

Yeah, not sure how you can get an Ellis vibe from a book that even the author admits owes so much to Ennis.

Oh, and Young Liars is fantastic. I think it's one of the few books left that really works best in the monthly format rather than trades.

Totally. Lapham is a master at the done-in-one format. For definitive proof, see Stray Bullets.

[Elayis]

So...

I read both issues (my LCS actually already had them, so I just went and got them. Got the first around the time it came out, the second the day it came out, and I got the last copy!) I have mixed reactions. I think it has some really good dialog and character work, but it's not a must buy for me. I only got the second because some of the books I was going to get that week were delayed, so I had some extra cash to burn.

This was the second book I've read of Joe Kelly's. I read the first issue of I Kill Giants, and wasn't impressed. I'm not a gamer, so some of the dialogue was just boring. And I didn't like the main character. For over half of the issue, I though the character was a guy. :redface: There was definitely some good one-liners, not doubt about it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Apparently, Image has started this new marketing style where they ship the first two issues to get people hooked, and then they delay the rest of the series like crazy ( ig, War Heroes). Hopefully this book won't be as late as that series.

And as much as it is hyped to be uber-violent, I really didn't think it was. But maybe that's just because I just saw Punisher: War Zone, so my sense of gore is slightly skewed.

[JoshuaCee]

You are literally the first person I've ever seen to have read I Kill Giants and not fall in love with it.

[Elayis]

You are literally the first person I've ever seen to have read I Kill Giants and not fall in love with it.

What can I say? I just didn't like it. There wasn't anything that stood at to me. Nothing good or bad, just meh. Did you get the feeling that it had too much gamer speak in it? I just couldn't get my head around it. I don't play D&D or any of those types of things, so all of that talk just drove me away from it.

In related news:

Apparently, Joe Kelly was on an episode of Celebrity Apprentice. In the episode (202), they had to design and costume a comic book superhero, so they brought in some professionals from the medium.

Here's a picture, Kelly is bottom right, in the black shirt with glasses:
http://www.nbc.com/app2/img/500x495xS/scet/photos/147/2806/NUP_133569_0019.jpg

Just an interesting bit of news. :wink:

[Gitaroo_Dude]

I haven't read the early IKG issues in a while, but I don't remember the D&D speak being that prevalent, except for that one scene where Barb is playing with her brother and his friends. Or maybe I just didn't notice it since I'm used to hearing it, being a video game geek myself.

And I'm not sure if you're overly focused on looking for humor, but I thought the series was much more compelling because of how well Kelly handles the line between flights of fancy and fantasy against the problems Barbara faces in life. It kind of reminded me of a mix between Gilliam's Brazil and Calvin and Hobbes.

[dan bailey]

Did you get the feeling that it had too much gamer speak in it?

I'm going to say "no," because I didn't really notice it ... & I completely lack the gaming gene, to the extent that I can't really conceive of a bigger waste of time (except maybe reality television). I've never played any sort of role-playing game, video game, computer game ... hell, not even pinball.

And I didn't like the main character. For over half of the issue, I though the character was a guy.

You know guys named Barbara? Interesting.

[Jimmy'sFriend]

When is I Kill Giants coming out in trade? I heard it was awesome!

[Gitaroo_Dude]

I just read on Kelly's blog that issues 3 and 4 have been delayed, and future issues won't be solicited until those are done either. Seems like we may be in for a long wait. :frown:

[Elayis]

I just read on Kelly's blog that issues 3 and 4 have been delayed, and future issues won't be solicited until those are done either. Seems like we may be in for a long wait. :frown:

Bummer. It was never that high on my to-get list, but it was a fun read, nonetheless. I wonder when the subsequent issues will be out? May? June?

Did it go to that special place that War Heroes went?