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Even
Cowgirls Get Good Comics:
Whiskey Dickel: International Cowgirl
An Image graphic novel review
By
Troy Brownfield
Writer:
Mark Ricketts
Art: Mike Hawthorne
(with additional work by an enormous supporting cast)
More
Info: www.imagecomics.com
; Whiskey's
home
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Mark
Ricketts is one of those creators that demonstrates a scary
level of knowledge and complete mastery of the genre that
he's attempting. Witness his Nowheresville to see how
he effortlessly blends the beatnik, greaser and noir aesthetics
of the '50s into a terrific whole. That sensability is on
full display in Whiskey Dickel, International Cowgirl.
With Mike Hawthorne, Ricketts combines the cowgirl romance
of early Country & Western radio with pin-up magazines
and healthy doses of humor and subtle sentiment to create
a rollicking good time.
Whiskey's
history
is actually a little complicated. Ricketts was inspired by
a chance image in an airport. He later created "International
Cowgirl" magazine for Caliber; the book, a fusion of
Varga/Buell/Frush/et al ideals and his own character. The
Comics Journal praised it, but the book was on hold during
a potential film development. Now, it's all back home in graphic
novel form; it's an oustanding package.
It
would be enough if Ricketts and Hawthorne simply concentrated
on Whiskey's story, but there are a load of extras as well.
The main narrative thrust centers on what you could consider
Whiskey's origin; she's a rodeo queen (among other outlandish
accomplisments) that was schooled by her rodeo queen granny.
Her father wanted her to be a lady, and had a strict "no
guns" rule. Meanwhile, Mawmaw is teaching her the basics,
like how to spit for distance and accuracy. It's all good
fun, taking inspiration from any number of pre-feminist icons
like Annie Oakley or just the general flavor of any girl who's
wanted to be good at something that's traditionally considered
a male vocation.
Outside
of Whiskey's exploits (which promise to continue) are a parade
of additional features, notably are a series of cowgirl pin-ups
by the likes of Guy Davis, Michael Avon Oeming, Jill Thompson,
Tim Bradstreet and scads more, along with write-ups by luminaries
like J. Torres, Jay Faerber and others. The whole enterprise
evokes camp, nostalgia, good-natured humor and supreme effort.
Even
if Western tales or down-home humor aren't your usual shot,
check out Whiskey. The team has created a likeable character
that works on several levels, and the extras are tremendous.
Troy Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of ShotgunReviews.com.
Email him at psikotyk@aol.com
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