Faust # 1 (Vol. 2 / 1991)Writer: David Quinn
Artist: Tim Virgil
Additional Inks: Tom Brunton
Letterer: Kim Richardson
Additional Paste-Ups: Scott France
Rating : 
This week, I decided to take a break from the numerous old Marvel and DC titles I’ve been reviewing and try my hand at taking a look at an independent comic since I’ve been having a blast taking about indy comics with my good friends at a comic forum that my LCS started about three years ago (Shout out to Legends Comics & Games Fresno), so for this week’s installment I’m gonna take a look at Faust # 1 from 1991 (I heard this issue actually came out in 1987 but was released about four years later when the creators got the publishing rights back from Northstar Studios)
So with this issue, the moment you read it you’ll probably need a stiff drink because even though the character is basically a Batman meets Wolverine hybrid it’s not your typical superhero story. This issue (As well as the creators) have no qualms about showing the violence and sexual overtones that takes up part of the story but I like how the very concept of this character and the world around him is mixed in with the German character with the same name who wants to surrender moral integrity so that he can achieve power and success and what’s really interesting is that the German folklore is mixed with the grim & grittiness that the story thrives on.
The very last part of the story sees Faust just ripping into a bunch of thugs with the retractable talons he’s had on his hands all while singing James Brown (I swear, I’m not making the latter up) and yes….it’s pretty gruesome! but in a weird way, it attracts you by getting you hooked into reading it all the way up until the end and I know someone major gripe about this issue is that it wouldn’t have hurt to hire a colorist, even though the issue itself is printed in black and white I feel that it gives this series its charm (No matter how gory it is); After reading this, I feel like both David Quinn and Tim Virgil had a blast producing this comic and you can tell by the quality of work in this comic that they both enjoyed the freedom in telling a story like this and I really like how Virgil’s art had a Bernie Wrightson meets Angel Medina feel to it that where I feel was awesome in terms of maintaining the story’s 1980’s vibe.
So in conclusion, Faust is dark, demented and just plain strange but has time went to, it satisfied the core audience that loved the character and anyone who wanted a break from the superhero lore that was being supplied by both Marvel and DC but at the same time, Faust makes titles such as like Todd McFarlane’s Spawn look very pale in comparison so, in my opinion, you should find the time to track down the remaining issues but just remember what I said earlier after you get done with this series…….make sure you have your choice of drink ready to consume. You’re gonna need it!
Welp, that’s it for me this week. I’ll be back with another review so thanks for sticking around and I’ll see you next time.
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