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Let’s preface any reviews with the fact that it’s been a weird… year. We’ve discovered a lot about ourselves as we’ve paced around our houses and I think we can all agree on our reliance on art. This is the kind of thing fandom is truly birthed from, and it’s an amazing time to find something new. Originality is something I’ve been craving, which is why I jumped on the chance to review Declan Shalvey‘s latest, Bog Bodies. Illustrated by Gavin Fullerton with colors by Rebecca Nalty and lettering from Eisner-nominated Clayton Cowles, its gritty and stark tale could be one to watch in the future, particularly in the kind of future that draws on graphic novels for cinematic inspiration.
a Guy, A Girl, & Two Hitmen Walk Into A Bog…
Bog Bodies follows Killian, a small-time Irish gangster trying to survive a desolate landscape of bogs and mountains outside of Dublin after a hit on his life goes awry. Pursued by his would-be murderers, Killian navigates the entire novel in almost palpable panic and fear, accompanied by a wayward girl named Neev.
Though we focus primarily on Killian, the bog is almost a character itself. One of the major draws for me was the idea that the bog may hold supernatural significance to Killian and his plight. Bogs have been used as a sort of dumping grounds for eons, a forgotten land known for simultaneously hiding and preserving its victims. Unfortunately, we don’t really delve into the supernatural properties of the bog and its dead inhabitants, which left me sorely wanting, though there are plenty of hints that we’ll get there.
My issue with Bog Bodies is the issue that many run into with the first of a series: the exposition and initial story setup demands a large part of the novel. Bog Bodies‘ initial synopsis seems to warn you of undead horrors, but runs out of pages before delivering. This kind of soft cliffhanger, if done successfully, can push us to continue on in the series, and, in that, I feel Shalvey is triumphant. By the end of Bog Bodies, we’re in limbo between gritty, crime noir, and supernatural spookfest and it’s that kind of dichotomy that leaves me wanting more.
‘Bogged’ Down By Illustration
Unfortunately, the storytelling doesn’t quite match the artistic execution for me. I prefer Shalvey’s actual artwork to Fullerton’s, and I think given the tone of the novel it would have served well here. Fullerton is almost too playful for me, and his stark compositions become, at times, monotonous. I also jotted down several instances where the illustration didn’t clarify the plot, and if it hadn’t been for the accompanying words I wouldn’t have known what was occurring.
However, I do think Fullerton really excelled with such a monochrome color palette, given the novel’s night time setting. There are moments of real beauty, like a monochrome scene cast in the glow of a red brake light, and I appreciate the unexpected color palette, particularly in regards to how easy it is for mainstream media to tie Irish works with the color green.
A Fine, Auld Tale
Lack of stereotypical green aside, make no mistake that this is an Irish work from an Irish author. It’s more than just the setting and the nomenclature, it’s an immersive experience, particularly in regards to Irish slang and vernacular. By the end, you can’t help but read it in your head with a brogue, reminding me of the accent your inner voice takes on when reading works like Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting. If you aren’t familiar with a lot of British or Irish media, I encourage you to take a crash course in slang or Google as you go in order to reap the full rewards of the story.
One of the reasons I enjoyed the atmosphere of the work so much is because I’ve recently been reading about the IRA, the “Troubles,” and Irish crime as a whole, which really gives a lot of context to a very stark and minimal story. I suspect some of the promised “gruesome” murder victims that rise up from the bog could be previous deaths from the tumultuous period of The Troubles, and I cannot stress how amazing it was to read this alongside Patrick Radden Keefe’s Say Nothing (you’ll come to find I’m a sucker for suggesting further reading).
The End Decree
All in all, I found Bog Bodies to be a lot of exposition with no payoff, but with the promise of future greatness. I feel that’s a totally reasonable thing to occur in a first issue, and I look forward to seeing where the story goes based on the ending.
Even though the illustration wasn’t what I’d prefer in something so bleak, I think the color palette is downright beautiful and it doesn’t fully take me out of the world Shalvey’s created. The novel certainly hints at more supernatural elements than it delivers, but it’s like that old Celtic adage: Come for the gross bog bodies, stay for the Irish atmosphere.