Norma Editorial brings us Mezkal, made by a man who believes he’s found heaven, but actually found hell.
Norma Editorial brings us once again the super profitable comic, Mezkal, screenwriter Kevan Stevens and Jeff. The story of a man who goes deep into the dungeons of hell in search of heaven.
Vanka Darmont is a young man from Chicago who has led a very unhappy life after his father abandoned him as a child. He has an unpaid job and a boss he hates, an alcoholic mother who repeatedly relapses, and recurring dreams that won’t let him rest. The dream happened in Mexico, a country that our main character likes to go to. On the day his mother committed suicide, the young man left everything and headed to Mexico, carrying an old guitar as a suitcase.
A perilous odyssey to reach his dream begins here, as the areas he traverses are full of danger and the journey can end on any road. Along with a candlelit grandmother, a blind grandson and a granddaughter, Vanka survives as much as he can for the guitar he plays until he meets a strange family who takes a romantic interest.
He finally seems to have reached his dream of happiness, but suddenly he’s involved in all kinds of trouble with gangs, bikers, traffickers, pimps, the DEA, and anyone else who owns an automatic weapon south of the Rio Grande. . His life changes completely when he believes he has found heaven when in reality he descends into the depths of hell.
Once upon a time in Mexico
The story itself does not seem to come from another world, a person lost in his life begins a journey of self-discovery. And it seems that he has found a place to be happy, even love, but when he meets dangerous people, everything disappears. Here begins a new adventure that we describe as a mix of Tarantino, Machete, Desperado or even Mad Max. Lots of action, blood and violence, but also some cleverness and mystery that leaves the reader wondering what the hell is going on. Everything revolves around Vankan and her love interests, but also about the criminal world beyond the Grand River, although at times it seems like a vision of Hollywood crime.
Screenwriter Kevan Stevens creates a work that goes from serious moments to dramatic moments in a matter of seconds. A lot of things seem disjointed, but it keeps the reader interested in what the next crazy thing will be. In addition, the script hides more depth than is apparent on first reading. On the other hand, a more astute reader will notice many cultural references. Mention that the ending might be a bit confusing.
The part of the image is the work of the artist Jeff, who, like his partner, makes cartoon sketches rather than being more “serious” drawings or realistic touches. Even so, the tone of the comedy suits him wonderfully and does not feel out of place, on the contrary, it makes the story even more crazy. The character borders on cartoonish, but with distinctive patterns that are easy to identify. The color range is stunning and vibrant, creating great contrast, but also fitting the story very well.
In general, we are faced with a work that creates many divisive opinions among readers. Both the story and the picture are somewhat over-the-top, so that more than one person will be put off by not finding it too weird, while others will get right into the joke for the same reason. We are faced with a task that will not leave the reader indifferent.
Norma Editorial Mezkal edition
Norma brings us back the 22 x 29 cm hardcover European comic with a total of 188 color pages. The publisher has done a great job with the print, from the layout to the quality of the pages. You can get the sound for 38 euros.
Mezkal is a joke that will not leave anyone indifferent. An amazing story and picture that combines films by Tarantino, Machete, Desperado and Mad Max. A fascinating work that requires the attention of the reader to understand everything that is going on, but can easily be enjoyed by the nonsense it shows.
It is recorded
Authors: Kevan Stevens | Jeff
Publisher: Norma Editorial
Format: Hardcover
Dimensions: 22 x 29 cm
Pages: 188 in color
ISBN: 978-84-679-6663-3
Price: 38,00 €
Summary: An action-packed and unparalleled art journey into the heart of Mexico
Vanka Darmont leads an unhappy existence due to work, debts and her mother’s recovering alcoholic. Finally, he decides to send everything to hell and leave Chicago to live in Mexico to fulfill his dream. However, once he arrives, things are not what he thought and his dream turns into a nightmare of bullets, drugs, shamanism, bikers, killers, drug dealers and DEA agents.
Screenwriter Kevan Stevens and brilliant illustrator Jeff create a man’s lysergic odyssey in search of heaven, which ends up plunging into the gases of hell.