Review: Boom Bandits
Out now!
You can now get the complete Boom Bandits from Bruno Stahl—three volumes of a classic-feeling story.
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"In Scar City, you can't trust anyone over the age of 40.
For young Pixie and Freydank, life expectancy is low and regularly disrupted by immortal elders from neighbouring Methuseland. When a small act of mischief forces them to flee their home, they discover a forgotten relic that - if unleashed - will smash the status quo and cause anarchy between the two cities."
Even reading the collected edition, as I have, this is certainly a nonstop adventure that keeps you hooked until the very end.
I love the way that this builds you into the story, bringing you some excellent character moments and hinting at what came before. There are some excellent moments from the off, where the grime of where the ‘other half’ live becomes a tourist destination, and those who have the power and money can make themselves feel superior to others with their money, technology, and age.
Age is a big deal here, with the older people holding all the cards. They have fancy dwellings, all the money and luxuries that they have come to expect as their rights.
Meanwhile, the younger generations are in squalor, seeking a better way of life. Things come to a head after a riot and subsequent quelling that goes awry.
From here, it snowballs, with various factions involved as the boomers' potential downfall roars towards them. In a way, they were betrayed by their own, with an interesting flashback that links them to the future and a new way of fighting against the status quo.
The story combines some dark humor, action, political action, and some deep thinking brilliantly. This, in conjunction with the excellent, detailed art, reminds me of the early 2000 AD—but more slick in its execution.
It’s a brilliant read, and each page has just the right amount going on to keep you turning the pages and keep the eye interested. This includes the larger scenes, the nice and the nasty areas, and each character's design.
Brilliant!
