“Dick Jokes, Dead Bodies, and Double Agents: Just Another Day for Garth Ennis”
Well, Jesus-riding-a-pogo-stick… Jimmy’s Bastards is one hell of a take on the James Bond mythos.
Let’s start with what absolutely slaps about this story: it’s offensive (in the best way), ribald, unhinged, and drawn with wild, cinematic precision. The writing is dirty, yes, but smart, a signature Garth Ennis move. If you’ve read The Boys, you’ll know what you’re getting into: gratuitous sex and violence delivered with a wink and a smirk.
What doesn’t quite land is the pacing. The story doesn’t seem to go anywhere until the final act. Everything before that is a lot of lead-up and a whole lot of dick jokes. And while that’s not necessarily a bad thing in Ennisland, it feels like he could’ve brought more narrative weight earlier on. He’s more than capable, see Preacher or The Boys for proof.
Would I recommend it? Sure, but only after you’ve cut your teeth on Ennis’s better work. The characters in Preacherand The Boys are brilliantly constructed, layered, and outrageous in the best ways. Jimmy’s Bastards, while promising, doesn’t hit quite the same highs (yet). That said, it’s not without its grimy charm. You absolutely should not read this unless you are a consenting adult, and even then, maybe light a candle and prepare to exfoliate your soul afterward.
Still, the Jimmy’s Basttards isn’t over. There’s more chaos to come, and who knows? Maybe it will all come together in one glorious climax (heh). We’ll see.
Fighting Woman Flying High in The Night Witches by Garth Ennis, Russ Braun (Illustrations)
Graphic Novel Review; The Boys by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson
