By Leo Mancini — Static by Matt Lesniewski is a simple story. Emmett Stone, an addict, wants to get control of his life. See, Emmett owes money to some very bad, very weird people. And before he can get a fresh start, he’ll have to pay off his debts. How, you ask? By poaching exotic animals for a mad scientist. It’s a bad situation. Between Emmett and recovery are 120 pages of speeder-bikes, gangsters, human-animal hybrids, and LOTS of VEINS.

Although his premise is admittedly insane, Lesniewski’s storytelling is tightly paced and laser focused. The story has two speeds: one-hundred and zero. Between the altercations with veiny thugs or flying gorillas, there will be whole, silent pages of Emmett; just smoking a cigarette or drinking a coffee. The choice to expand these few, small moments of peace in Emmett’s day hammers home how far he’s fallen. Plus, they make the chase or shootout on the next page feel even more harrowing in contrast.

The other thing stopping this story from feeling like complete nonsense is its focus. Static keeps Emmett’s recovery at the center of the story, helping the book deliver a satisfying conclusion. There are, however, a few side characters that get lost in the shuffle. There are enough dangling plot threads in Emmett’s life to justify a second volume. But the comic still feels like a complete story without one.

And now, the art. The art will surely be the most divisive part of this book. It is disgusting and fits the story perfectly. Everything looks dirty. The characters have bulky, hairy bodies with bulging veins. The buildings are grimy, and the walls are eroding. Rock formations spiral out of the ground like weird little tumors. Every environment has something gross to behold.

Finally, something needs to be said about Lesniewski’s unique way of creating three-dimensional space on the page. It can’t be called “perspective” because, in most panels, the subjects don’t shrink as they extend backwards into space. The result is a style that looks more like isometric projection than traditional two or three-point perspective. Everything fits into a clean, blocky landscape that contrasts nicely against the gritty textures.

In one word, Static feels fresh. Nobody else in comics is drawing like this. I give it my highest recommendation.

GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: Static by Matt Lesniewski

Static
Writer/Artist: Matt Lesniewski
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
A new original graphic novel by Matt Lesniewski (The Freak), about a man at the end of his rope, pushed to the edge. As if being tracked by a violent gang of drug dealers wasn't enough, a mad scientist's muscle for hire, who hunts creatures for twisted Frankensteinesque experiments, finds himself fighting his boss and the patchwork monsters he helped create.
Price: $19.99
Publication Date: May 2021
Read It: Physically / Digitally

Leo is a cartoonist from Chicago who reads chaotic, grungy indie comics. You can find him on the internet as @leomakecomic. If have something for him to read, send it to leomakecomic@gmail.com