PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of the graphic novel MISTER MAMMOTH from Dark Horse Comics & Flux House Books imprint. Available now at comic book shops & April 18th in bookstores, the creative team for this hardcover features writing from Matt Kindt, illustrations from Jean-Denis Pendanx, and letters by Jim Campbell.
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
MISTER MAMMOTH HC
Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Jean-Denis Pendanx
Letters by Jim Campbell
Cover Art by Jean-Denis Pendanx
Genre: Fantasy, Crime, Action/Adventure
Format: FC, 128 pages; HC, 7″ x 10″
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
ISBN-13: 978-1-50673-317-3
ISBN-10: 1-50673-317-4
Age range: 16+
SRP: $29.99
Comic shop release date: 3/29/23
Bookstore release date: 4/18/23
Eisner Award Winner!.
Mr. Mammoth is the world’s greatest detective and the kind of person you don’t forget. Being a seven-foot-tall pacifist who’s covered head to toe with an impressive collection of horrific scars makes quite the impression. But he might be losing his edge. He can’t seem to solve his latest case and he’s distracted with a strange obsession with a soap opera actress who doesn’t even know he exists. His new case holds clues that might finally unlock the secret of his traumatic childhood. The question is: is he solving a crime–or planning one?
Mr. Mammoth is the first-ever original graphic novel from Matt Kindt’s all-new imprint, Flux House, which features crime, science fiction, and humor stories, all told in startling and untraditional ways. For Mr. Mammoth, Kindt is joined by internationally acclaimed artist Jean-Denis Pendanx, who’s making his U.S. debut!
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
MISTER MAMMOTH HC
For as long as the worlds of literature and movies will always be there to spark the minds of fans, so too will comics be there to add its own fuel to the fires of creativity. When a work as unique and awesome as Mister Mammoth comes along, that not only offers up a new flavor of excellence within the lofty halls of comics, but also echoes with the resounding energy of mystery novels and film noir, that right there is something truly spectacular. A major standout from this hardcover is the seamless blending of words and art to create a whole world that stands apart from other works thanks to the partnership of Matt Kindt and Jean-Denis Pendanx.
Writing: Matt Kindt has written for many of the finest comics publishers over the years and told some terrific tales throughout the course of his career. Now he brings something new to the table, a mystery that gives readers a detective who is his own being, yet also is infused with elements from two of the greats, Sherlock Holmes and Sam Spade. While the overall tale is 100% noir in every way, there is also a degree of the fantastic that instead of taking energy away from the pace of the mystery, adds another layer to it that will leave readers wanting to know more. To Matt, all that can be said to sum it up is, “Bravo, a fine job indeed!”
Art: First and foremost, welcome Jean-Denis to the U.S. comics market. To everyone out there who, like me, was unfamiliar with his work until now, whatever he does next for American publishers will be a delight. Jean-Denis’ art style is rich, vivid, and stunning to look at. It brings the script and world Matt has penned to life in a way which is very much rich with all the grim and grit of noir, but also vibrant and alive with gorgeous layouts and detail. This reviewer can not wait to see what Jean-Denis does next and wishes to offer up this final thought… “Bravo, mon bon monsieur. Votre oeuvre est magnifique et j’ai adoré!” (Bravo, good sir. Your artwork is wonderful and I absolutely loved it!).
Letters: Jim Campbell’s work as letterer conveys a certain energy that intermingles with Matt’s script. Like watching a movie with the volume down but the subtitles turned on. You know how the characters sound in your head, and the wording channels that internal thought outwardly. For this gorgeous noir-centric romp, the lettering does the exact same thing. Plus, given the nature of the story, Jim’s letters combined with the plot make this world’s greatest detective sound like an even more rough-hewn Humphrey Bogart. And that, right there, is something special in & of itself.
Overall Assessment:
For as long as I can remember, books, movies, and graphic novels have been some of the great joys in my life. To find a hardcover comic that offers up a blending of a film/literary genre that is near and dear to my heart, now that is something very wonderful to be sure. Audiences will fall in love with Matt’s writing and Jean-Denis’s artwork. These two are a creative match made in the heavens, no doubt. To say that I highly recommend everyone pick up a copy from their local bookstore or LCS is an understatement. Mister Mammoth is also a strong debut for Kindt’s Flux House imprint. If all future projects from Flux House are as delightful as this one is, I, for one, can not wait to see what comes next.
PopCultHQ’s Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
About Flux House Books:
For over 20 years, bestselling cartoonist Matt Kindt has been writing and illustrating creator-owned comics that balance action-packed storytelling with a highly personal creative vision, with titles like BRZRKR (with Keanu Reeves), Apache Delivery Service, BANG! Dept. H, Ether, Fear Case, MIND MGMT, Folklords, Revolver, 3 Story, Super Spy, and Pistolwhip. Now the acclaimed cartoonist is collaborating with Dark Horse Comics, his longtime publisher, to launch Flux House, a new boutique imprint that will feature the writing (and sometimes) art of Kindt, with crime, science fiction, and humor stories, all told and presented in startling and untraditional ways.
Upcoming Flux House publications will take many forms and formats, with each release having a distinct presentation including unique trim-sizes with two publications to be magazine-sized and special print features (like die-cut and fur) and a punch-card dust jacket that reveals a secret message . These publications are personally designed by Kindt to be both books and art objects.
As part of the Flux House agreement with Dark Horse, Kindt’s upcoming creator-owned works will all be published by the company. Flux House is the latest in Dark Horse’s growing line of prestige publishing imprints for creator-owned comics, joining Karen Berger’s Berger Books, Brian Michael Bendis’ Jinxworld, and Kevin Smith’s Secret Stash.
About Dark Horse Comics:
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics is an excellent example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and transform a company with humble beginnings into an industry giant. Over the years, Dark Horse has published the work of creative legends such as Yoshitaka Amano, Margaret Atwood, Paul Chadwick, Geof Darrow, Will Eisner, Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Faith Erin Hicks, Kazuo Koike, Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Kentaro Miura, Moebius, Chuck Palahniuk, Wendy Pini, Richard Pini, and Gerard Way. In addition, Dark Horse has a long tradition of establishing exciting new creative talent throughout all of its divisions. The company has also set the industry standard for quality licensed comics, graphic novels, collectibles, and art books, including Stranger Things, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Dragon Age, James Cameron’s Avatar, Game of Thrones, Mass Effect, StarCraft, The Witcher, and Halo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.
