Disclaimer: All of the comics reviewed in this column were either comped by the respective creators/companies, or purchased from Dr. Volts Comics in Salt Lake City.
MIND MGMT (monthly series, Dark Horse Comics, $3.99)
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? Matt Kindt (creator/writer/illustrator).
Cynicism towards government is at an all-time time high. And let’s face it, most if not all of us have had the feeling that our leaders know a lot more about a lot of things than they’re telling us. However, there are some who take government paranoia to ridiculous extremes.
Well, thanks to Dark Horse Comics and — specifically, writer/artist Matt Kindt – there’s finally a book for those people. And there’s also a comic for those who didn’t think either of the science-fiction series “The X-Files” and “Fringe” went nearly far enough in their exploration of conspiracies and governmental cover-ups.
“Mind Mgmt” is a serialized comic from Kindt, the creator of the acclaimed graphic novels “Pistolwhip,” “Revolver,” “Super Spy” and “2 Sisters.” The monthly follows Meru, a once-promising novelist who’s suffering from a serious bout of writer’s block. Nearly bankrupt, financially and creatively, she’s become obsessed with finding out about a supposedly “lost” passenger from an ill-fated airliner flight.
However, once Meru manages to find said passenger, Henry Lyme, she’s confronted with more questions than answers. How did he survive? Is he responsible for the mishap? Is he friend or foe? And most mysterious of all, what is this shadowy “Mind Management” organization that Lyme claims to have been part of?
THE GOOD.
Again, fans of both the dear, departed “Fringe” and “The X-Files” will find a lot to like here. While there’s no extraterrestrial bent to the story – at least not yet – it does have strong science-fiction elements. Among the other, former or current Mind Management employees are strongmen, telepaths, sharpshooters, precognitive dolphins and seemingly immortal enforcers.
But Kindt has crafted a story that, like his earlier work, has a noir-thriller vibe to it. It’s no coincidence that one of his main characters is named Henry Lyme. It’s an obvious tip of the hat to the classic noir film (and novel) “The Third Man.”
And it’s told in a way that seems entirely plausible.
Don’t be surprised if, after reading an issue of “Mind Mgmt,” you start questioning everything and everyone around you. Even if what is said or done is witnessed first-hand.
THE BAD.
There are some who may be turned off by Kindt’s trademark, scratchy line work, which can be an acquired taste. Personally, I dig his art, and find that it fits perfectly with the tone of the material. Frankly, it’s hard to imagine any other artist being able to convey convincingly the concepts he’s trying to convey here.
THE UGLY.
This is not a book that can be consumed easily, in one quick sitting. The story and stories are told in present-day and through flashbacks, some of which are not entirely reliable. Also, Kindt crams panels and page margins with other information, such as text from Meru’s earlier novel. Everything is worth consuming/reading, though … Everything appears to be connected.
IN CONCLUSION.
A third, six-issue arc is currently in progress, so there’s still time to catch up on this mind-blowing … or possible mind-opening … book, which has become the favorite of comics fans as well as celebrity types. (“Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof counts himself among its devotees, as do comics creators Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder, and director Ridley Scott, who has already taken an “option” out for a movie version of “Mind Mgmt.”)
While the early issues are pretty hard-to-find and are fetching collector’s prices, Dark Horse Comics has released two hardcover collections, each featuring six issues of the series. At $19.99, they’re a steal, crammed with extras such as the original “Zero” issue and comic strips done for the Dark Horse Website.
Jerk-bot, aka Jeff Michael Vice, can also be heard reviewing films, television programs, comics, books, music and other things as part of The Geek Show Podcast, and can be seen reviewing films as part of Xfinity’s Big Movie Mouth-Off.