Sirk TV Graphic Novel: PUNK MAMBO [Europe]
The idea of the Loa and its impact on voodoo lore is an interesting starting point for a visualization of a human host that is able to control its otherworldly power. "Punk Mambo" [Cullen Bunn & Adam Gorham/Valiant/148pgs] plays to this idea of a girl who has become the embodiment of all that is anti social but using it to her advantage. While she uses the powers of her Loa to beat zombies and demons, her otherworldly powers of being able to see the dead and focus on the essence of the winga (from which they draw power) is left slightly elusive. The backstory is eventually revealed in an almost post-epilogue gist to the main story where it retraces her early days in prep school. Punk led her into an almost Louis "Interview With A Vampire" fate. But the main story is what holds the bite. It could almost be a Nicole Cage character piece if he was a girl. Margot Robbie could play Victoria perhaps though it is a little close to Harley Quinn. This would be a fun role say for Rooney Mara as she didn't continue her Salenger progression from "Dragon Tattoo". This all indicates a dexterous but also character filled cinematic tinge to the proceedings. The action balances mostly between New Orleans and Haiti with Punk (again aka former name Victoria) having her demon helper snatched away from her by an unknown presence. It turns out to be a non magical beast/man sucking spirits from their roost like a spiritual Ghostbuster with only nefarious ideas in mind. Like a female James Bond, Punk does what she wants and asks questions later. Her rage is based on anger alone and not necessarily an altruistic approach. She just wants to be left alone but live life on her terms. Even the resolution shows her reliance on being independent even though she possesses the gift to be something much greater. The art in the graphic novel is lurid by design so the demons manipulate a nightmarish quality while Punk still keeps a Tank Girl fire in her edges. She takes no prisoners which makes her a hero of sorts while just wants to be her own person. B
By Tim Wassberg
