twilliamson's review
3.0
It Rhymes with Lust is a noir-styled pulp "graphic novel" before such a thing existed. It follows the story of a man named Hal, who is pulled into the political machinations of a powerful woman named Rust Masson. Hal is hopelessly entwined in Rust's power games--as political and sexual pawn. However, at the urging of Rust's virginal step-daughter, Hal turns against Rust to expose her for the power-hungry succubus she is.
The major issues with the story are its lack of originality and its bland character portrayal; each of the characters of the novel act according to the stock plot of a noir pulp. Not only do the characters feel boring, but the stereotypes upon which they call are also terrifically dated. Having been published in 1950, the novel relies heavily on a virgin/whore dichotomy for its two female leads, and while it is interesting to look at Hal's character for the way it depicts masculinity, the novel's sexual politics remain thoroughly antiquated.
Nevertheless, it's difficult to think of a graphic novel that better encapsulates the noir style of pulp fiction. Matt Baker's art is largely gorgeous and only sometimes sloppy (his lines begin to deteriorate mostly toward the end of the novel), and are a veritable showcase of the visual aesthetic of '40s noir. If there is any reason to read it, it is because of Baker's sense of composition and the way each panel mimics the camera eye of film noir.
All together, this one is entirely skippable from a story perspective, and far more useful as an example of how comics as a medium is so incredibly flexible from the perspective of visual craft. As an early endeavor in the creation of the modern graphic novel, it's a great case study in how to use art to tell a story--even if that story is pretty thoroughly banal.
The major issues with the story are its lack of originality and its bland character portrayal; each of the characters of the novel act according to the stock plot of a noir pulp. Not only do the characters feel boring, but the stereotypes upon which they call are also terrifically dated. Having been published in 1950, the novel relies heavily on a virgin/whore dichotomy for its two female leads, and while it is interesting to look at Hal's character for the way it depicts masculinity, the novel's sexual politics remain thoroughly antiquated.
Nevertheless, it's difficult to think of a graphic novel that better encapsulates the noir style of pulp fiction. Matt Baker's art is largely gorgeous and only sometimes sloppy (his lines begin to deteriorate mostly toward the end of the novel), and are a veritable showcase of the visual aesthetic of '40s noir. If there is any reason to read it, it is because of Baker's sense of composition and the way each panel mimics the camera eye of film noir.
All together, this one is entirely skippable from a story perspective, and far more useful as an example of how comics as a medium is so incredibly flexible from the perspective of visual craft. As an early endeavor in the creation of the modern graphic novel, it's a great case study in how to use art to tell a story--even if that story is pretty thoroughly banal.
jbrito's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
corrie's review
4.0
Oh yeah, It Rhymes with Lust - a 1950 re-print of the first ‘picture novel’ – is a perfect time capsule. The story and language, very hip and happening around that time, is extremely entertaining for us now.
Merry widow Rust Masson is going all out to solidify her hold on Copper City and will bitch-slap anyone who gets in her way. Her poor step daughter Audrey has the hot cheeks to prove it. Hal Weber, old flame of Rust and newly hired editor for the local newspaper is a helpless (I would say dick-less) pawn in Rust’s amoral dealings. Will he align himself with evil Rust or idealistic and sweet Audrey?
I love Mat Baker’s art. The women are gorgeous and glamorous. A real treat!
Themes: 1950s noir, Rust shows you the back of her hand Joan Crawford style, she’s a hoot, it’s so corny and so much fun!
4 Stars
Merry widow Rust Masson is going all out to solidify her hold on Copper City and will bitch-slap anyone who gets in her way. Her poor step daughter Audrey has the hot cheeks to prove it. Hal Weber, old flame of Rust and newly hired editor for the local newspaper is a helpless (I would say dick-less) pawn in Rust’s amoral dealings. Will he align himself with evil Rust or idealistic and sweet Audrey?
I love Mat Baker’s art. The women are gorgeous and glamorous. A real treat!
Themes: 1950s noir, Rust shows you the back of her hand Joan Crawford style, she’s a hoot, it’s so corny and so much fun!
4 Stars
rickklaw's review
4.0
In 1949, while attending college on the GI Bill, writers Arnold Drake – the co-creator of the comic-book cult classics Deadman and The Doom Patrol who died earlier this month – and Leslie Waller – author of the acclaimed organized-crime trilogy that included The Banker, The Family, and The American – envisioned a new kind of story that would bridge the gap between the comic book and the novel. From Drake's afterword to the Dark Horse edition: "stories illustrated as comics but with more mature plots, characters, and dialogue." The duo convinced St. John Publications to produce a line of mass-market "picture novels." Only two books were published, both in 1950 and both to overwhelming apathy: It Rhymes With Lust and The Case of the Winking Buddha (written by mystery scribe Manning Lee Stokes, with illustrations by Charles Raab).
Under the pseudonym of Drake Waller, the college friends successfully created a lush, complex noir story. The recently widowed Rust Masson assumes control of Copper City, the town her late husband once controlled, politically and financially. Masson summons her old flame, hotshot award-winning big-city reporter Hal Weber, to run the Masson-hating city newspaper, The Express, which she secretly owns. The infatuated Weber uses the power of the press to distract the townspeople from Masson's secret agenda. Masson's plot goes as planned until Weber falls for Masson's angelic stepdaughter, Audrey, who reawakens the reporter's inherent sense of morality.
The art of penciller Matt Baker and inker Ray Osrin elevate It Rhymes With Lust above other early-Fifties crime thrillers. The first known African-American comic-book artist, Baker pioneered good-girl art with his work on Phantom Lady, and throughout this graphic novel, his love and understanding of the feminine form is evident. Unlike many modern comics, Baker renders the woman in realistic styles and proportions, creating a noir feel throughout that emulates the lurid crime covers of the era.
Often considered the first graphic novel, sadly It Rhymes With Lust has rarely been reprinted during the past 57 years. Dark Horse reprints the unabridged classic – the first approved by both authors – for a lucky new generation of crime-fiction and graphic-novel fans to discover and enjoy.
(The review originally appeared in The Austin Chronicle, March 23, 2007.)
link: [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review?oid=oid%3A458405]
Under the pseudonym of Drake Waller, the college friends successfully created a lush, complex noir story. The recently widowed Rust Masson assumes control of Copper City, the town her late husband once controlled, politically and financially. Masson summons her old flame, hotshot award-winning big-city reporter Hal Weber, to run the Masson-hating city newspaper, The Express, which she secretly owns. The infatuated Weber uses the power of the press to distract the townspeople from Masson's secret agenda. Masson's plot goes as planned until Weber falls for Masson's angelic stepdaughter, Audrey, who reawakens the reporter's inherent sense of morality.
The art of penciller Matt Baker and inker Ray Osrin elevate It Rhymes With Lust above other early-Fifties crime thrillers. The first known African-American comic-book artist, Baker pioneered good-girl art with his work on Phantom Lady, and throughout this graphic novel, his love and understanding of the feminine form is evident. Unlike many modern comics, Baker renders the woman in realistic styles and proportions, creating a noir feel throughout that emulates the lurid crime covers of the era.
Often considered the first graphic novel, sadly It Rhymes With Lust has rarely been reprinted during the past 57 years. Dark Horse reprints the unabridged classic – the first approved by both authors – for a lucky new generation of crime-fiction and graphic-novel fans to discover and enjoy.
(The review originally appeared in The Austin Chronicle, March 23, 2007.)
link: [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review?oid=oid%3A458405]
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