Before Jhonen Vasquez created Invader Zim, there was Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. Focusing on the character of the title, it was an extremely darkly comedic book that will purposefully push your buttons — and make you laugh. But darkly.
First released as a comic strip, JthM eventually expanded to seven twisted issues from Slave Labor Graphics. Those have been collected in a volume called Johnny the Homicidal Maniac: Director’s Cut, and spun off into several other series (I recommend Squee, personally).
The black and white, highly stylized art from Vasquez often plays with form, pushing it and tweaking both the art and narrative so far it breaks. Which is the point, since we’re following a maniac who hears voices telling him to kill people.
It’s also interesting as a dry run for Invader Zim — and wild Vasquez got to do that late, great show at all, given this comic drew a fair amount of controversy. By the end of the run, Vasquez was tackling little things like heaven and hell, never neglecting the morbid Hot Topic on cocaine ethos that he began the book with.
While it’s more funny than scary, there’s plenty of blood and gore as well, if that’s your thing. And if not? You’re probably not going to like a book titled Johnny The Homicidal Maniac.
It’s spooky season, and you know what that means: time to curl up with a comic book or graphic novel that will scare your socks off. With that in mind, we’re posting a new horror book to check out every day of October, for our 31 Days Of Halloween Comics. Awoooo! Looking for the rest of our picks? Check them out on the Halloween tag.
Comic Book Club Live Info:
Discover more from Comic Book Club
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.