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Black Jack Ketchum #1-4
Black Jack Ketchum
In a dreamlike version of the Old West, Tom Ketchum struggles to clear his name-and stay alive-when he's mistaken for wanton outlaw "Black Jack" Ketchum. With the aid of his talking sidearm, a secretive gambler, and a mute girl with a Winchester, Tom evades the mysterious Union and its supernatural enforcers, the faceless Dusters, as he's forced to question his identity, his sanity, and his very existence.
128 pages, Paperback
Published July 5, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 27, 2016
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Didn't like it. Didn't make sense, and I couldn't follow it with all of the metaphysical (time travel?) goings on, and it didn't help that all of the characters looked virtually the same.
Didn't like it. Didn't make sense, and I couldn't follow it with all of the metaphysical (time travel?) goings on, and it didn't help that all of the characters looked virtually the same.
May 1, 2021
Úprimne nechápem, čo v tom ľudia hľadali a prečo ich tak sralo, že je to zvrtnuté do mysteriózna a supernaturálna. Kto niekedy počul o Tomovi Ketchumovi a jeho živote, tak je to tu vykreslené v komikse, ale napísané zaujímavejšou formou. Kovboj, ktorý sa proste zaplietol s blbými ľuďmi a stal sa kriminálnikom. Najbožejšie sú narážky na jeho obesenie, ktorého ukončenie bolo v realite viac než úsmevné (ak ste morbídny harant jak ja). Každopádne, dobré tempo, fajn kresba a celé to poňatie toho sa mi veľmi páčilo. 4/5
July 16, 2016
A weird western. Enjoyable and puzzling enough.
Will make a great David Lynch flick.
Will make a great David Lynch flick.
October 3, 2018
Chtěl jsem Western a místo toho jsem dostal surrealistickou divno věc jako od Lynche, ve které je prolínání různých světů, dream like zpěvák uprostřed přestřelky, mluvící zbraň (která není moc dobře využita) a celé je to prostě divné. Příběh je zmatený ale účelně, zrhuba mám představu o čem to je, bavilo mě to ale asi tomu budu muset dát šanci podruhé.
Kresba fajn, nic extra a celé to rychle ubíhá, je to takový horší Sin Titulo ale bavilo mě to. Takže pokud chcete divný Western tak to zkuste.
Kresba fajn, nic extra a celé to rychle ubíhá, je to takový horší Sin Titulo ale bavilo mě to. Takže pokud chcete divný Western tak to zkuste.
September 24, 2020
A couple of reviewers said this is what a western would look like if it was directed by David Lynch. That really is the best way to describe this book. It's so weird and different I have trouble figuring out the best way to review it.
It starts off very much like your typical western and almost immediately veers off into a crazy dreamlike adventure. A lot of the time I had absolutely no idea what was going on, but I enjoyed it.
It starts off very much like your typical western and almost immediately veers off into a crazy dreamlike adventure. A lot of the time I had absolutely no idea what was going on, but I enjoyed it.
June 26, 2016
'Black Jack Ketchum' by Brian Schirmer with art by Claudia Balboni takes a historical figure and events, and puts a weird West twist on things.
Tom Ketchum is mistaken for an outlaw named "Black Jack" Ketchum. It's easy enough to do since they look similar and have the same last name. He sets about to clear his name. Along the way he is aided by a talking gun, a mute girl toting a rifle and a strange gambler. He is running from the faceless Judge. He does this by using old West saloons as portals (since they are all mostly the same, apparently). There are flashbacks and flash forwards, and the whole thing kind of keeps you guessing until the end.
Each issue starts with real history. We learn about the real Ketchums and the sad fate that Tom had. The art is interesting. The story is good, but perhaps a bit confusing in places. Still, I give it a solid plus for the effort. It seemed to be lacking something for me to really love it, but I do like what they tried to do here, and weaving in actual historical figures is a plus.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Tom Ketchum is mistaken for an outlaw named "Black Jack" Ketchum. It's easy enough to do since they look similar and have the same last name. He sets about to clear his name. Along the way he is aided by a talking gun, a mute girl toting a rifle and a strange gambler. He is running from the faceless Judge. He does this by using old West saloons as portals (since they are all mostly the same, apparently). There are flashbacks and flash forwards, and the whole thing kind of keeps you guessing until the end.
Each issue starts with real history. We learn about the real Ketchums and the sad fate that Tom had. The art is interesting. The story is good, but perhaps a bit confusing in places. Still, I give it a solid plus for the effort. It seemed to be lacking something for me to really love it, but I do like what they tried to do here, and weaving in actual historical figures is a plus.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
June 28, 2016
Black Jack Ketchum by Brian Schirmer et. al. is a free NetGalley e-comicbook that I read in early June.
Somewhat hard to follow, this story is that of a mistaken identity - a weak-minded man with a similar appearance and last name of a criminal at large - and an otherworldly pursuit, usually in groups of three foreboding, ringwraithlike creaturepeople. The main and supporting characters are sketched out as drawn, wiry, hallowed, worn, and dastardly in a world of indigo, browns, mustards, and splashes of ivory and salmon.
Somewhat hard to follow, this story is that of a mistaken identity - a weak-minded man with a similar appearance and last name of a criminal at large - and an otherworldly pursuit, usually in groups of three foreboding, ringwraithlike creaturepeople. The main and supporting characters are sketched out as drawn, wiry, hallowed, worn, and dastardly in a world of indigo, browns, mustards, and splashes of ivory and salmon.
June 18, 2016
Gorgeously colored meditation on the Old West and the archetypes of folklore that ultimately makes no godd**n sense. There are some interesting thoughts swirling around here; but it all crumbles a bit once you really start poking around its metaphysical edges. Anyway, as mentioned, some of the one page design is stunning and Tom Ketchum's silent sidekick and talking gun are very good - but the entire whole is bit wanting.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2016
This is a decent western story, sort of anyways. The artwork was crisp, and generally pretty solid. My favorite part of this was the covers.
I received an advanced copy of this from Netgalley.com and the publisher
I received an advanced copy of this from Netgalley.com and the publisher
January 3, 2018
I picked this up after reading a recommendation on this following the Twin Peaks finish, and if you read the back blurbs, this is pretty much described as a Lynchian western. On one hand, yeah, I get why people say that – this is a deliberately confusing mishmash of dimensional positioning and weirdness that certainly echoes a lot of that Peaks-style in many respects. On the other hand, this is kind of a rote walkthrough of basic, entry-level dimensional confusion that really just failed to resonate in any true way.
It was fine, but I ultimately wished I had read this a few years ago before my foray into the weird.
It was fine, but I ultimately wished I had read this a few years ago before my foray into the weird.
July 2, 2022
I feel like I'll understand the story a bit more once I reread it. But since I won't be doing that soon, I'll just say the story didn't make any sense. But the art was nice, and I liked the talking gun. I have no idea who the bear, crow, sunflower guy, and fur hat guy is supposed to be. The sand guy we learn a liiiittle about, but like everything else in this story, it's not explained well what he's doing here. The art was pretty good though.
January 8, 2019
This is a hard book to categorize, but I think existential / supernatural / western fits pretty close. Schirmer's writing always surprises, and the only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because it's all over too damn soon. Would have loved it if this tale could have gone longer and this world explored more.
January 7, 2019
The wildly weird west is a worthy read! Brian Schirmer and Claudia Balboni have told a truly original, and unpredictable tale. One that takes the mysterious Tom Ketchum on a seriously fun adventure. Plus, there’s a talking gun! Beautiful art, and adventurous panel breakdowns. Highly recommend!
March 14, 2018
Weird, trippy book. I kinda get what’s meant to be going on here, but I’m not sure it’s that successful. I didn’t love, but I give the creative team credit for trying.
January 7, 2019
Good story.
August 13, 2022
I do love real-life lore mixed with weirdness, and this delivered nicely. It's the Wild West, but there's magic shit going on, and Black Jack Ketchum is and isn't Black Jack Ketchum.
June 15, 2016
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Black Jack Ketchum is a graphic novel I really wanted to love - stylized artwork, thoughtful storyline, and an all around intelligent piece of work that doesn't pander to readers. But upon completion, I admittedly was shaking my head in frustration: something just didn't work. I'm all for metaphysical musings on life but I really need a much more coherent story in which to frame it and put it into context. So much about this book felt fandom - from the settings to the characters. And so I was left disenfranchised from the story and never really got into the main characters' plight (either the tangible or the fantastical).Story: Tom Ketchum has been mistaken for a very nasty outlaw and has the authorities on his back. Along with writer Ambrose Bierce and a silent but deadly young woman, he will go in search of the outlaw in order to clear his name. But with supernatural dealings all around, he may not survive physically (or metaphysically) to reach that goal.
First off, it should be fairly obvious that the search for outlaw Ketchum ('catch 'em' - get it?) is a MacGuffin. In a cleverly circular way, Tom Ketchum is searching for himself. Along the way, he is pursued by a very violent and implacable judge and 3 mysterious figures made of space (as in outer) covered in dusters and hats. Add in stopping points of a 1940s movie set and shack with an endless interior, and you get the idea that we aren't in Kansas any more.
I wish I understood the set pieces and points more. This book felt like one of those great ideas when explained in person but hopelessly opaque without the creator to guide us through his thought process. It definitely requires several read-throughs - but without a compelling enough set of characters, there's not a lot of desire to do so. And so unsurprisingly, after the first read, I felt really disappointed. Clearly, I had missed too much to really understand what was going on with the character and his revelations.
The artwork is clean and the book mercifully (or frustratingly) low on dialogue boxes. Author Schirmer resists the temptation to overtell - which is admirable but has to be balanced so as not to undertell and leave the reader scratching figurative heads. The art has to make up for the low key approach and unfortunately just doesn't give us enough clues to get to the other side of the story. But it is quite lovely and the artist does a great job of quirky wordless communications between characters.
There's something really clever here but less discerning readers hoping for a good yarn (and even those who read more carefully like myself) will likely be frustrated. It'll take a few more reads, I feel, before it all really sinks in. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
June 24, 2016
After a historical lesson about the central figure, who was indeed a real-life person, things turn weird—yeah, the thing with the snow—and science-fictionly, part Brisco County and part Sledge Hammer.
I love how the guy at the poker table is completely blasé with shots being fired all around him. Even more I love his sidekick, even if she doesn’t talk; taciturn plays well here. There’s one panel that squicked me out much more than I could have ever imagined, when he was cleaning the gun.
When the stoic poker table guy finally gives his name, it explains a lot of things; particularly enjoyed the inclusion of that famous story. So we add Twilight Zone to the reference mix, and possibly Twin Peaks.
Each chapter, or issue, starts off with more of the historical stuff until we find out his fate in real life, so there’s a lot of shifting. Even then there’s still the fantasy to play out. Things go sideways—first literally, then storywise; the metaphysics of it all hurt my head. There’s a musical interlude, for no reason other to show bad lyrics. Then there’s the ultimate in dual realities, leading to a deus ex machina from the last shoutout, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
If you search for photo of the real Black Jack, you’ll find this version is drawn true to life. There’s a gorgeous also-true-to-life panel of Monument Valley which alone is worth the expenditure.
At the end there’s 10 pages of bonus materials in the form of sketches, with the finished product sometimes intertwined.
This can be intriguing, as long as you don’t take it as seriously as it takes itself. But who was the girl? Why was she there?
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
I love how the guy at the poker table is completely blasé with shots being fired all around him. Even more I love his sidekick, even if she doesn’t talk; taciturn plays well here. There’s one panel that squicked me out much more than I could have ever imagined, when he was cleaning the gun.
When the stoic poker table guy finally gives his name, it explains a lot of things; particularly enjoyed the inclusion of that famous story. So we add Twilight Zone to the reference mix, and possibly Twin Peaks.
Each chapter, or issue, starts off with more of the historical stuff until we find out his fate in real life, so there’s a lot of shifting. Even then there’s still the fantasy to play out. Things go sideways—first literally, then storywise; the metaphysics of it all hurt my head. There’s a musical interlude, for no reason other to show bad lyrics. Then there’s the ultimate in dual realities, leading to a deus ex machina from the last shoutout, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
If you search for photo of the real Black Jack, you’ll find this version is drawn true to life. There’s a gorgeous also-true-to-life panel of Monument Valley which alone is worth the expenditure.
At the end there’s 10 pages of bonus materials in the form of sketches, with the finished product sometimes intertwined.
This can be intriguing, as long as you don’t take it as seriously as it takes itself. But who was the girl? Why was she there?
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
June 22, 2016
I have long been a fan of comics and graphic novels, and have always particularly enjoyed the titles that are a little off the beaten path, that try something new or push the reader. This book fits in with that nicely, offering a story with traditional themes turned inside out or upside down in an artistic and innovative exploration.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to fans of weird tales and alternative storytelling. I particularly liked the way we are thrown into the world without explanation and left to figure out the rules of this somewhat nightmarish reality of the characters. Art and dialogue matched the tone and mood well, too, and the characters and story are intriguing.
With that said, it is not perfect. I feel that some of the characters and (things representing those characters, or perhaps the ideas those characters represented) would have been well-served with a little more development and foreshadowing. As it is, it feels a little too raw and spare; it feels like it could have been better with a little more development and fleshing out. Perhaps it would have been better if it was a little bit longer, or perhaps it simply needed a little more refinement.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to fans of weird tales and alternative storytelling. I particularly liked the way we are thrown into the world without explanation and left to figure out the rules of this somewhat nightmarish reality of the characters. Art and dialogue matched the tone and mood well, too, and the characters and story are intriguing.
With that said, it is not perfect. I feel that some of the characters and (things representing those characters, or perhaps the ideas those characters represented) would have been well-served with a little more development and foreshadowing. As it is, it feels a little too raw and spare; it feels like it could have been better with a little more development and fleshing out. Perhaps it would have been better if it was a little bit longer, or perhaps it simply needed a little more refinement.
July 28, 2016
I got an electronic review copy of this book through Diamond Book Distributors and Net Galley because I was perked with the idea of a Western that has the name of an infamous historical criminal name Black Jack Ketchum. However this work was rather bizzare and truth be told it felt pointless. You wonder what is real and what is a dream. You follow along a story and then suddenly we see a transition of another scenario. I love the color, the illustration and the historical facts given but the story was out there for me personally.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Diamond Book Distributors and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Diamond Book Distributors and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
August 3, 2016
I have enjoyed westerns when I was younger. I read quite a few Louis L'Amour in the nineties. When I saw this graphic novel, I was expectedly an ode to the Westerns. Instead, this was a weird story with no plot-line I can tell. There is the issue of a dream sequence which annoyed me further. So at the end of this, I can't tell you what it is really about. Not recommending this one.
I read this in two sittings- June 21 and August 2016. Didn't even bother to read over the first 48 pages and I don't think it would have made a difference.
Enjoyed the artwork, the only highlight of this novel.
Disclaimer: I received this a e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I read this in two sittings- June 21 and August 2016. Didn't even bother to read over the first 48 pages and I don't think it would have made a difference.
Enjoyed the artwork, the only highlight of this novel.
Disclaimer: I received this a e-book in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2016
I won this comic in a Goodreads giveaway.
The art is amazing. It's the best part of this comic. I found it difficult to follow as did my husband who is an avid comic book reader. Had the art not been so great, I would have given this only 1 or 2 stars. I wanted to like the story. There were pieces of it that showed real promise for a great plot. However, everything just seemed so disconnected it was hard to enjoy.
The art is amazing. It's the best part of this comic. I found it difficult to follow as did my husband who is an avid comic book reader. Had the art not been so great, I would have given this only 1 or 2 stars. I wanted to like the story. There were pieces of it that showed real promise for a great plot. However, everything just seemed so disconnected it was hard to enjoy.
July 17, 2016
Western tale with supernatural elements
Fun comic collection about a cowboy who may or may not be Black Jack Ketchum, a notorious petty criminal. Various supernatural figures such as the Judge and the Dusters are pursuing him. Some characters seem also to be ghosts while Ambrose Bierce also features prominently.
Quite nicely executed and colourfully illustrated, this is entertaining stuff though it goes all metaphysical at the end. Reasonable stuff but not really my favourite type of story
Fun comic collection about a cowboy who may or may not be Black Jack Ketchum, a notorious petty criminal. Various supernatural figures such as the Judge and the Dusters are pursuing him. Some characters seem also to be ghosts while Ambrose Bierce also features prominently.
Quite nicely executed and colourfully illustrated, this is entertaining stuff though it goes all metaphysical at the end. Reasonable stuff but not really my favourite type of story
July 25, 2016
On paper, the concept sounds great. Tom Ketchum is mistaken for a wanted criminal and is hunted for the crimes of Black Jack Ketchum. But the book quickly dissolves into metaphysical drivel. Some people will compare this to David Lynch. But just because something is weird, doesn't make it Lynchian. It actually needs to be good. I couldn't follow a bit of this.
Received an advance copy from Image and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from Image and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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June 12, 2016It's sad how even the quirkiest hybrid genres can so quickly become generic in the bad sense. Steampunk did it long since, and here we have something which too often feels like weird Western by numbers. Strong art, though - especially in the faces, I'm reminded of Kevin O'Neill.
(Netgalley ARC)
(Netgalley ARC)
August 10, 2016
Strange. Hard to follow, yet interesting.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews