Comic Review: Killer Groove #1 & #2

Killer Groove #1 & #2

Aftershock

Writer: Ollie Masters

Artist: Eoin Marron

Aftershock has been putting out some great comics recently, and Killer Groove is no exception. The book alternates between two wayward souls living in 70s Los Angeles. Jack hopes to become a rock star but spends most of his time bartending. After accidentally saving a hitman’s life, he finds a new source of inspiration. Killing.

Meanwhile, Jackie is a private detective tasked by a foul-mouthed kid to find her missing Vietnam War veteran father. Raúl, Jackie’s uncle, ends up joining in on the investigation while on the run from hired killers. Though he doesn’t mention this to his niece.

As expected from a summary like that, Killer Groove explores some fairly popular concepts. Thankfully it manages to build a novel and entertaining narrative out of them. Johnny’s relatively unassuming demeanor and big dreams create a nice contrast with his new, darker profession. His relationship with hardened New Orleans killer Ignatius also offers a strong hook.

Jackie doesn’t pack the same immediate punch but her plotline has its moments. Her case leads her to a Weather Underground-like group of hippies. It’s less interesting than Johnny’s, but Jackie comes off as having a lot more nuance. Like Johnny, her life didn’t turn out how she wanted it to. However, her attempts to be a better person are constantly undermined by outside forces and her own faults. Killer Groove has two compelling, believable protagonists and that makes the narrative as a whole come off as more original.

One issue plaguing the book now is how Jackie and Johnny’s plotlines feel so divorced from each other. There’s a bit of overlap at the beginning of issue #1 but that’s gone by issue #2. The two narratives are similar enough in tone, content, and themes that it doesn’t feel too jarring. Even then, I hope the later issues make some attempt to unify these two disparate narratives.

Killer Groove’s major draw is the superb artwork provided by Eoin Marron. It’s been a while I’ve picked up a book where the visuals get just about everything right. Marron’s work has an impactful, distinct style with no major weak points. It carries an atmosphere that’s lively, foreboding, and most importantly still grounded in reality.

Through Marron’s art, the characters move, look, and feel like real people. Even with such a stylized approach, it touches on something truly genuine. The layouts help contribute to that, as they’re inventive without being exaggerated. Killer Groove has effective writing but it’s the art that really makes it worth reading.