The Gallows Man is yet another request review for a Kickstarter campaign. I know I said I’d be doing something else but I like this comic. If you people really want me to cover more topics, become a patron and vote in the poll! Until then you’re going to have to deal with my opinions about laughing at mass murder. Special shoutout to Dismay Comics creator and writer Brandon Ingram and artist Helen Boulton.
The Trashy Fun of The Gallows Man
The Gallows Man is a satirical take on Golden Age comics. During the late 1930s to the early 1950s, comic books were a time for the public to relax. As real evils like the Depression Era, street crimes, and WWII occur, superheroes give levity to the grimness. Good triumphing over evil is always necessary for these long years. Of course by the time WWII happens the lines have to be drawn on who’s good or evil. Because in the late 30s superheroes were more like a juvenile power fantasy against bullies like wife beaters. For grace’s sake, golden age Batman used to kill people with a kid sidekick! And they all did it with enthusiasm. So how does this series make fun of this; by making the heroes target socially acceptable cannon fodder.
The titular character and his teen sidekick Noose Boy build their brand around hanging people alive. I mean really, dressing a teenager up as a medieval executioner; why would people support…?
Never mind, they’re killing Nazis! Wolfenstein may be fun, but do you ever get to enact cartoony violence on Reichmen? In this comic, the ultra-violence on imperial racists would’ve been acceptable for Golden Age superheroes. The fact nobody tried this almost feels like a wasted opportunity. But while the Nazi agents are literal punching bags, that doesn’t make them any less dangerous. Emphasizing this point is Nazi supervillain Major Shawstika… uh… Swastika. Despite his speech impediment and figurative mustache twirling, he is a lethal joke. With how he killed Gallows Man’s mentor and rubs it Gallows Man’s face, there’s a genuine sense of trauma on the title character.
An Uplifting Character
The titular Gallows Man is a surprisingly upbeat character despite his work ethic and a tragic background element. While most Nazi hunters would be working for patriotic duty or perhaps vengeance, Bart Dickerson only wants to help his community. On his way to his day job he gives kids apples for their teachers for the chance to make all of their days a little happier. Heck, his job as a mortician is tailor made not just with his superhero alter-ego but giving helpless John Doe victims some dignity.
There’s a real sense of Bart being a bigger part of his city’s community with the people he interacts with. His boss Mr. Johnson might be a bit of an odd ball with how he believes in a Nazi conspiracy but he’s friendly enough to be around. Not everyone has enough character to put up with price increases at their favorite eateries. Then there’s Jamie who shares his mansion as Gallows Man and Noose Boy’s secret base. Between him and his butler Bertwald, there’s a sense of camaraderie enough to share secrets.
Finally let’s discuss Bart’s use of his superhero mask. The fact he wears it to bed and recites monologues while doing morning routines shows a strong attachment to Gallows Man. I mean the guy has his dog wear his own mask. There’s a feeling of empowerment to make the mundane more enthusiastic with this. At the same time, it feels like Bart is trying to cope with the trauma he suffered from Swastika’s hands. Because if the Gallows Boy couldn’t save his mentor, how much does this former sidekick have riding on him?
The Gallows Man: Cathartic Satire
If there’s one thing I have to bring up it’s how some of the artwork by Helen Boulton is hit or miss. The character designs look fine especially with how expressive Swastika’s mask is. But there’s a few noticeable shortcomings like uneven architecture. Just look at an opened door at one point and you’ll notice that the placement is awkward. Then there’s the shading lines that only try to give detail.
The Gallows Man has the kind of ironic charm from a clever setting and an interesting main character. The art isn’t the best, but it sure does make character look lively. Overall, this series with its first issue has an 8/10.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Kickstarter begins May 4 and ends June 11 with an early bird special to people who subscribe early. Go to this link for more details.