Sumerian Comics brings AMERICAN PSYCHO #1 to the con

As comics double-down on licenses to construct up their choices, hoping to herald readers which might be already followers of the motion pictures they’re based mostly on, Sumerian Comics took to NYCC 2023 to convey its American Psycho comedian to con goers.

The comedian, based mostly on Bret Easton Ellis’s novel of the similar identify however extra extensively recognized for its adaptation starring Christian Bale, is written by Michael Calero and illustrated by Piotr Kowalski, with colours by Brad Simpson. It follows two timelines, if you’ll. One that views the Patrick Bateman murders from a unique viewpoint than that of supply materials and one other that finds a curious hyperlink to the killings in the current time.

American Psycho #1 takes a wierd however appropriately darkish dive into characters previous and new that flirt with the thought of killing for their very own twisted causes, being that how they justify their actions is central to the idea of the novel and the film. The learn could be fairly advanced for those who have already seen the movie. It actually places into query simply how dependable its completely different views could be, particularly when contemplating how damaged these characters’ ethical compasses are and the way they argue away the very want to human consideration when paired with rugged individualism.

Calero’s script does a wonderful job of capturing the similar excesses the guide explores, framing the NYC of the Nineteen Eighties as a spot that’s sectioned off by class with varied ranges of accessibility. Those anticipating a couple of Easter eggs on a few of the movie’s most iconic moments will get them, most notably a dialogue on the music of 1 specific artist. Despite specializing in completely different characters, although, the guide does come off as a respectable extension of the world of American Psycho.

Kowalski clearly set out to ensure Patrick Bateman appeared similar to Christian Bale, and he nailed it. Anyone frightened about this may relaxation simple. The artwork’s naturalistic stylings make the story really feel appropriately grounded, which has the impact of creating the loss of life scenes go fairly exhausting with large splotches of crimson marking the violence left in the wake of the story’s killers.

There’s an fascinating thought regarding justified killings, although, that may or won’t lengthen all through its 4-issue arc. Just how a lot it’ll play into the growth of the characters concerned on this tackle the supply materials stays to be seen. What’s obvious is that Calero and Kowalski aren’t interested by settling for affordable throwbacks to the film. There’s a transparent curiosity in crafting a narrative that takes full benefit of what got here earlier than it so it may possibly attain into completely different components of the harmful world that Patrick Bateman inhabits.

Sumerian have fairly a particular guide in American Psycho. There’s potential right here to create one thing that turns into important to the narrative Bret Easton Ellis gave start to. Fans will really feel very welcome with this new chapter, whereas new readers will discover sufficient character-driven violence to preserve them asking for extra. So mud off these Phil Collins data. Patrick Bateman is again.