Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • Learning From The David Goyer Mess

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2014
      Columns, Mission Professional
    Recent
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • Comictober 2020: DRACULA MOTHERF**KER

      Daniel Gehen
      October 27, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • Jumping On: The Flash Rebirth #1

      Daniel Gehen
      June 14, 2016
      Big Two, DC Comics, Jumping On
    Recent
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • Retro Review: Detective Comics #826 Remains a Holiday Classic

      Daniel Gehen
      December 3, 2020
    • Stan Lee

      nguyen ly
      November 7, 2020
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • COPRA Comes to IMAGE COMICS

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2019
      Image, News, Press Release
    Recent
    • Review: The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist

      Daniel Gehen
      December 14, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • 4.5

      TMNT: The Last Ronin #1 Lives Up to the Hype (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      October 29, 2020
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • 2.5

      Kung Fu Panda #1

      Daniel Gehen
      May 12, 2011
      Reviews
    Recent
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • Review: The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist

      Daniel Gehen
      December 14, 2020
    • Retro Review: Detective Comics #826 Remains a Holiday Classic

      Daniel Gehen
      December 3, 2020
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • Brian Reed: Understanding Ms. Marvel

      Daniel Gehen
      July 9, 2007
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • Frank Miller's Ronin Pt. 1: 'You Are Not Without Purpose'

      Daniel Gehen
      July 8, 2016
      Classic Comics, Classic Comics Cavalcade
    Recent
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Reliving the Craziest Decade in Comics History: An interview with Jason Sacks

      Mark Stack
      January 2, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • Comics Bulletin Exclusive Preview – Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Witches #4 (Of 4) from BOOM!/Archaia

      Daniel Gehen
      December 12, 2014
      News, Previews
    Recent
    • 2020 Ringo Awards Winners Announced

      Daniel Gehen
      October 26, 2020
    • BAD IDEA Announces 2021 Publishing Slate

      Daniel Gehen
      September 29, 2020
    • A Full Replay of NCSFest 2020 is now Available

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2020
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • Review: 'Cartoon County' is a Breezy, Fun Burst of Comics Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      November 13, 2017
      Books
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Collecting Profile: If I win Powerball, I will buy Amazing Fantasy 15
  • DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)
  • Collecting Profile: Batwoman
  • Collecting Profile: Daredevil
  • Collecting Profile: Floronic Man
  • Review of Cheetah in Wonder Woman 1984
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Indie

Review: BAD KARMA #1 Makes You Think Before You Thank

Daniel Gehen
May 7, 2020
Indie, Reviews

Panel Syndicate

(w) Alex de Campi (a) Ryan Howe (c) Dee Cunniffe

Superhero stories are very much the backbone of the comic industry, but oftentimes the best stories come from other genres. While it may be early to declare it as one of the best, Bad Karma #1 is certainly a new (yes, new) series worth checking out from Panel Syndicate. Written by Alex de Campi and brought to life by artists Ryan Howe and Dee Cunniffe, Bad Karma tells the story of two friends and their attempt at adjusting to life after traumatizing experiences in the military.

In the issue’s backmatter, de Campi notes that she drew off real-life accounts from friends and family who served in order to shape the characterizations of her lead characters, Sully and Ethan, as well as the supporting cast of characters. The result is an authenticity to the dialogue and mannerisms that transports the reader into the working-class neighborhoods of South Boston. De Campi’s dialogue is as raw and unfiltered as one can expect around a kitchen table in Southie. Whether the characters are angry with each other (which is often) or palling around, the dialogue provides an immersive experience for readers, which pays off when the issue hits certain emotional beats.

As army veterans, Sully and Ethan deal with a significant degree of trauma, both emotional and physical. These are lightly touched on, though the physical disability of one of the two is quite overt, and hopefully the creators develop this in future issues. It may go a long way to demonstrate to readers the difficulty that veterans face on a daily basis. However, one thing that is given visibility is their reactions to background characters thanking them for their service, and the expressions given to them by Howe’s art.

It’s a fairly accepted part of American culture to thank those active and veteran members of the military for volunteering their lives in service of the country. It doesn’t matter what role a person had or what they did – gratitude must be expressed. While that may be a touch hyperbolic, it brings us to the part of Bad Karma that – controversial as it may be – will serve as the meat of the series going forward: what if a “thank you” should not be expressed, and what if it’s not even wanted? There aren’t answers to be found in this issue, but these questions make for fantastic hooks that hopefully leads to a resolution. But for readers, it may cause them to second guess how to treat those who have served.

de Campi is drawing on real-world accounts, and for some the constant praise may weigh heavy, especially if they had to do something while on active duty they are morally opposed to or simply not proud of. It’s an approach that challenges established cultural norms and mores, and is sure to ruffle some feathers – especially from those who don’t like their beliefs challenged. But for those willing to be challenged, Bad Karma #1 is a rewarding experience. The amount of thinking and reflection on my own interactions with veterans is a testament to this issue’s potential impact on readers.

Alex De CampiBad KarmaPanel SyndicateRyan Howe

Share On:
Tweet
COSMIC DETECTIVE Launches on Kickstarter from Lemire, Kindt, and Rubin
Collecting Profile: Taskmaster

About The Author

Daniel Gehen
Editor-in-Chief

Dan was introduced to the 1960s Batman show at a young age, which developed into a lifelong passion for comics. When he's not grinding out his day job, he can be found reading about Scarlet Speedsters, Web-Heads, or Sagas just about anywhere. If it's good he'll read it. If it's bad... there's a chance he still might read it.

Related Posts

  • Comictober 2020: DRACULA MOTHERF**KER

    Daniel Gehen
    October 27, 2020
  • What Looks Good for the Week of 10/14/2020

    Daniel Gehen
    October 12, 2020

Support Us!

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Friends of the Site

  • SOLRAD
  • Your Chicken Enemy
  • Psycho Drive-In
  • Women Write About Comics
  • The Beat
  • Loser City
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders