SNAKED – Issue #1
Written by Clifford Meth (Read Interview Here)
Art by Rufus Dayglo
IDW

King of Snake. Queen of Mortality. Jack of All Trades. All three of these have everything and nothing to do with Snaked, a new series written by Clifford Meth and drawn by Rufus Dayglo for IDW Publishing. It’s a story that combines multiple genres with alluring artwork that’s borderline Andy Warhol if he went through his Joy Division phase. Ok, I was being creative with that description. Basically, it’s sexy, dark, and creepy all in one, and definitely the kind of story I love to wrap my hands around. Clifford Meth dives right in with the tale of the “Snake Man” William Timmons. He has snake eyes that help give off a penetrating glare that will freeze you for a moment, just staring at the panel, wondering why you can’t take your eyes off him. Timmons speaks more with his face then with his mouth, and when he does put actions into words, he’s smart about it. Short and to the point. And likeable, even though all signs point to him being pure evil.

This is masterful characterization from writer Clifford Meth, creating a new character outside the mold of “bad” good guys. Timmons is seemingly more bad than good, and I think that’s the allure to the “Snake Man.” In one scene, Timmons stands in a hallway, staring at his coworkers throwing a dry, political joke in his direction. He’s rude by just staring at them, never leaving the professional attitude, and beginning his speech with his mind on the job at hand. This page glimmers to me, and shows the reader he’s not only a man with a plan, but very inhuman. This trait is essential for Meth in establishing this creepy persona, but also acts as trigger for the pacing and atmosphere of the book. Each page holds the reader longer than usual, bringing the room where Morganstern tells the story of Timmons into your own. I’m very intrigued with the character of Timmons, and his presence is brilliantly set into position by Clifford Meth. On top of that, the writing takes a humorous stab at politics, which to some, is a red flag. But not here. Meth makes it approachable, but also, winks at how human a presidential figure can be, creating quite the contrast from our inhuman centerpiece. The scene with Bill and Hilary Clinton shows the reader that this will not be a direct, spoon-fed political statement, but perhaps a subtext on the side that can be swallowed lightly with a laugh.

The art is a perfect match, as the timeline bounces around earlier in the decade, so it’s very fitting to have the style reflect early Hitchcock film noir with a splash of supernatural thriller. Rufus Dayglo, if that’s his real name, does an amazing job of giving the reader an intense, almost fearful feeling on each page. He’s given quite the freedom too when it comes to scenes involving sex (rocket nipples!) and castration, with the ladder surely giving readers nightmares. It’s a gory scene, shown more than once too, that readers will never forget.

Snaked has arrived to tell a new kind of story; genre-bending, unguarded, and with absolutely no fear of upsetting the world of political blundering, all the while creating a fascinating new character in William Timmons. IDW, Clifford Meth and Rufus Dayglo appear to have an instant classic on their hands.

GRADE: A CONTINUE READING? The Snake Man is more than just a comic book character. He’s a mysterious force, with eyes you can’t look away from, and I can’t wait to read more.

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