When it comes to books that have been read over the years, Violator by Alan Moore, Bert Sears, Greg Capullo, Mark Pennington, Steve Oliff & Orioptix, and Tom Orzechowski probably isn’t at the top of anyone’s list. It’s unlikely to be on anyone’s radar. But maybe that’s the way it should be. An over-the-top action thriller that firmly presses your tongue.
Early image books are often ignored for style rather than content. Artists, mostly branching out with their own companies for the first time, created visually appealing material that may not have been the best written material. Some ideas are pretty good, and some are the best leftover from the 90s. Todd McFarlane generally has some good ideas that are still around and have longevity over 30 years later. And the vile and rather unpleasant clown who turns into a heart-rending demon was definitely one of them.
It was also a great idea to hire some of the best writers in the industry to flesh out and expand on these ideas, which led to Alan Moore writing the three-issue Violator miniseries. And to be honest, I think this will last longer now than it did when it was released.
“He’s like a demon or an alien or a mutant, right? A ‘different person’, right?”
I know Alan Moore has a reputation for being a grumpy old man. I think that’s unfair in a way. If you were asked the same question at the same time in a cartoon where you’ve been wronged, you’d probably be a little grumpy, too. It is energized by the fact that some of his most famous and celebrated works are serious works, even if they are gruesome and gritty. “Watchmen”, “V for Vendetta”, “The Killing Joke”, “From Hell”, etc. What is overlooked are works full of more joy and whimsy. Something that explores my love for medium four-color fantasy. And also how funny he is.
So, as will come as no surprise to anyone who has read The Boo Jeffries Saga with Steve Parkhouse or countless DR & Quinch short stories with Alan Davies, Moore is absolutely capable of writing dry humor. And this is also reflected in the Violator series. The Admonisher pokes fun at the gruesome, gritty, freewheeling carnage of ’90s antiheroes while still reveling in the gruesome, gruesome, freewheeling carnage. Add in the self-imposed psychotherapy sideshow of a quartet of bickering demon brothers, and when you spawn in as a putz, this is fun.
Artwork by Bart Sears, Greg Capullo, Mark Pennington, and Steve Oliff places it firmly in the rest of the Spawn universe both visually and tonally. It is also emphasized that although this work is in some sense a parody of the style, it does not mock or belittle it. This is a joke that makes good use of the material without degrading it. That’s because the art is still very enthusiastic and detail-oriented, realizing many of the story’s visual gags.
And Tom Orzechowski makes it easy to tell the devil brothers apart with unique speech bubbles. He is one of those letterers who is always able to create diverse and unique balloons and fonts that feel like intentional design elements that enhance and enrich the story. His lettering always stands out to me in the right way.
“So your father was a monster?”
Sometimes you just don’t feel like going to an art house. Sometimes you don’t want a tense emotional drama. Sometimes you just need a really interesting and solid action piece. “Violator” by Moore, Sears, Capullo, Pennington, Oliff & Olio-Optics, and Orzechowski is that action thriller. Violator is chased by one enemy after another in search of blood, and the momentum never stops. I’m crazy. It’s violent. It’s bloody. But most of all it’s a lot of fun.
Classic Comic Encyclopedia: VIOLATOR
violator
Screenplay: Alan Moore
Pencillers: Bert Sears & Greg Capullo (#3)
Inker: Mark Pennington
Colorist: Steve Oliff & Olyoptics
Author: Tom Orzechowski
Publisher: Image Comics
Release date: May to July 1994
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