Silent Assassin: Understanding Trauma

    (Terminal, 2004)
™ and ©

One should be able to infer from the title that this comic book is not meant for children. But, if it’s not obvious enough, perhaps the interior scenes of child abuse, graphic head injuries, and excessive usage of the f-word clarify things a bit. So get those kids to bed before reading this.

It’s hard to imagine such a beautifully produced book could showcase such extreme ugliness. Narek Gevorgian and Don Redick put down nice layouts with superb coloring, only to wallow in scenes of bullets piercing skulls, torsos, crotches, and just about everything else. And Brian Ferrara’s story is one of a mute, deformed boy being held in sexual bondage by his mother as a means of supplemental income. Brr.

Of course, the boy does make his way, albeit violently, into this alien and nicely rendered Heavy Metal-esque world. And Ferrara actually shines a sliver of light into this dark and evil place, as this silent assassin finds a degree of acceptance. This is an admirably done book, but it’s a surefire cure for a good mood.

— Jim Johnson
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#1

4-Jun-2004
Cover Price: $6.95
1 copy available for $5.50 		Brian FerraraNarek Gevorgian, Don Redick