GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Bounce

by Joe Casey
David Messina & others (illus.). Image. 2014. 270p. ISBN 9781632150110. pap. $24.99. Rated: M. SF/DRAMA
COPY ISBN
Writer Casey (G.I. Joe: America's Elite) and artist Messina (Star Trek: Khan) tell the story of pot-smoking slacker Jasper Jenkins, who volunteers for a medical experiment and gains the ability to bounce around like a rubber ball. Obtaining a costume, Jenkins becomes the crime-fighting Bounce. Unlike many superhero comics, in which science is merely a way to give the hero powers, Bounce uses it as a major plot element. Not only has the trial given supernatural abilities to others, whom the Bounce fights, it's part of a plan masterminded by mystery-man "The Darling" to steal power from the godlike Golg%chk.
VERDICT Despite the book's name, there are relatively few scenes of the Bounce in action and little development for his alter ego. Casey's interest clearly lies with Darling, giving him lots of exposition (even for the superhero and sf genres) and cryptic flashbacks, designed slowly to offer the reader insight into his motivations. However, Messina, whose art is superficially reminiscent of Tony Harris (Ex Machina), doesn't distinguish his male characters well enough from one another to make the flashbacks effective. Gore, swearing, drug use, and nudity make this an adult title. Not recommended.
Reviewed by Robert Mixner, Bartholomew Cty. P.L., Columbus, IN , Jan 15, 2016
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Past Tense: Facing Family Secrets and Finding Myself in Therapy
by Mardou, Sacha
GRAPHIC NOVELS

Soseki Natsume’s Botchan: The Manga Edition
by Natsume, Soseki
GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Hidden Life of Trees: A Graphic Adaptation
by Wohlleben, Peter & Fred Bernard
GRAPHIC NOVELS

Masterpiece
by Bendis, Brian Michael
GRAPHIC NOVELS

Cemetery Kids Don’t Die, Vol. 1
by Thompson, Zac
GRAPHIC NOVELS

Caravaggio: The Palette and the Sword, Vol. 1
by Manara, Milo
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?