The Bandy Man

God's first, unfinished creature, unleashed in the bloodline of a modern day descendant. A metaphor for the incomplete nature of man or a monster for the new century?

Written and Created by Stefan Petrucha, with art by Charles Adlard, Miran Kim and Jill 'Scary Godmother' Thompson, The Bandy Man was originally published by Caliber Press and is still available from them in both hardcover and single issue format.

REVIEWS OF THE BANDY MAN #2-3:

By David Gabriel White
For rec.arts.comics.misc

THE BANDY MAN #2 (Caliber Comics)
Writing: Stefan Petrucha
Artwork: Miran Kim
Letters: Scott Martyniuk

I picked up the first issue of The Bandy Man based on a favorable review I saw here, and boy was I impressed. Stefan Petrucha managed to weave two together two fascinating tales 2500 years apart. Based on that I picked up issue #2 this week, expecting a good read. Some of you may remember Petrucha from his work on Topps' X-Files comic, where his stories were well-written, creepy, and captured the flavor of the show to a T. The Bandy Man isn't exactly an X-Files story, but is just as compelling and with subject matter a million times more interesting.

Unlike the first issue, which had two fairly straightforward tales illustrated by Jill Thompson and Charles Adlard, this issue is retelling of the Genesis myth with art by X-Files cover artist Miran Kim. Petrucha's twist is that when God created man he forgot about his original attempt, who nonetheless came to life though incomplete. The incomplete man later convinces Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil, thereby becoming the Biblical Serpent. He then breeds with Eve, who gives birth to Cain.

I'd be interested in seeing some of Petrucha's sources, as they rather strongly recall Gnostic and Kabalistic origin myths without being like any such myths I can remember reading. In any case, this issue is a fascinating, utterly compelling read — the only problem is it's over way too fast! This issue does clear up some points made in the first issue, and perhaps explains the "present day" story a little better.

The essays by Lee Schlesinger in the back of the issues are likewise fascinating, thought-provoking reads which only enhance your enjoyment of the book. Read 'em even if you hate reading text pieces! Overall, a highly intriguing and stunning story.
Miran Kim's artwork is likewise stunning. I'm used to seeing her work as mere pin-ups or cover art. Her artwork works just as well sequentially and manages to tell the story without being dull or working against the script like much painted art does. I'm wondering, though — are the original pieces in color or grayscale?

On a scale from A to F, I'd give The Bandy Man #2 an A. If I was applying this scale to, oh, say, Italian Renaissance and Baroque sculpture of David I'd have to give Bernini an A+, Michelangelo a B and Donatello a C. It's a thought-provoking, well-researched comic which is shaping up to be a killer read. Highly recommended, but probably not suitable for younger readers or those uncomfortable with religious stories.

THE BANDY MAN #3 (Caliber Comics)
Writing: Stefan Petrucha
Artwork: Jill Thompson (pi) Charles Adlard (pi) Miran Kim (pa)
Letters: Scott Martyniuk

In ancient Judea the Redactor continues his conversation with Havah, who compares him to Bandias for his editing will leave both God and man incomplete forever. The Redactor then asks her how she would prefer to spend the last moments of her life, and she answers by telling a story with no ending an act which infuriates the Redactor and which she uses to prove her own point — if the Word does not come from the people then the people will forever be denied its true essence. Ultimately, the Redactor departs with Havah's stories and incorporates them into his manuscript, dooming the children of Israel for ages to come (at least from Havah's view).

Meanwhile, in the future our hero stumbles through a terrifying dream, chased by the incomplete figure of his brother Bandias who is unmaking all of creation. He makes men incomplete and causes them to vanish, tormenting those he despises and vanishing those he likes. Waking into the real world he discovers that Bandias has indeed escape and may have killed people Or perhaps he is not awake, for as he goes searching for Bandias one of his compatriots faces is missing. Unable to capture or contain the incomplete man, he instead kills him, at the same time proving himself incomplete.

Wow. This is a book that's hard to talk about, just because it's so powerful on its own that adding any sort of text would be nigh-pointless. Needless to say Stefan Petrucha has woven a tale of wonderful intricacy and inevitable conclusions, with a powerfull message and one that demands to be considered.

The artwork is likewise gorgeous, with Miran Kim, Charles Adlard and Jill Thompson turning out some truly beautiful work. This comic has more ambience than any other which I've seen for a long time, and the atmosphere almost becomes another character in the story.

Basically, I'd like to say more but I can't. The comic just blew me away that much.

On a scale of A to F, The Bandy Man #3 earns an A+ (If I was applying this scale to, say, late-night talk show hosts then Conan O'Brien gets an A-, Jay Leno gets a B, and Charles Grodin and Tom Snyder both get Ds). Highly recommended. Overall, a great mini-series with a chilling, compelling, and thought-provoking story. If you can, hunt down all the back issues and buy them now. This one is too good to miss.