The Big Book of Weirdos

Technically this book was a re-read. Only I read this book years ago. Long before I started to keep a reading journal. The first time I encountered this book was when I was living in Durham NC, after having just got married. So at most, I read this book for the first time 25 years ago. The Big Book of Weirdos was one of the Durham Public Library Main Branch's few honest-to-God graphic novels placed in the graphic novel section of the library. In those days, if you went looking for graphic novels at the library, you were lucky if you could find something other than Garfield and Bloom County on the shelves.

This book written by Carl Posey examines the lives of famous people we collectively think of as rather strange, like Howard Hughes, depraved, such as Rasputin and Caligula, or rather terrifying, such as Ivan the Terrible. However, the majority of the book is made up of people who had underlying mental illness brought about the abuse of drugs and alcohol or those whose lives spiraled out of control because they lived in an age of primitive mental health practices or were surrounded by 'yes men'. Occasionally, there's a subject or two of which my grandmother would classify as 'just damn mean.'

This is the 6th book from Paradox Press that I now own. I love these treasuries of various subjects that are given the short story sequential art treatment by multiple talents. In this edition, Rick Geary, Batton Lash, Kieron Dwyer and Frank Quietly are among over 5 dozen talented artists who contributed. There's about 8 more books in the series out there that I hope to one day get my hands on.

Though I haven't read them all yet, The Big Book of Weirdos is one of more spicier books. Sex, murder, cheating, corruption are just some of the seven deadly sins being broken in this book. And that's not to mention the 10 Commandments, of which at least 13 are broken by the artists, politicians and socialites whose alternative lifestyles are examined inside.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Even More Fund Comics

If you ever wanted a primer to Indy comics, creators and artists for the early 2000s, this is it! Dozens upon dozens of comic book talent came together to make this 2004 anthology benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Batton Lash's lawyers of Supernatural Law, The Cryptozoo Crew from Jerry Carr and Allan Gross, Mark McKenna's Banana Tail are just a few of the properties I've read and reviewed before. It was a lot of fun to get an all-new revisit to these characters that might not have gotten their due respect. 

There's also a slew of well known artists who contributed to the sketch book section of this book. Steve Rude, George Perez and Al Milgrom, along with Jim Lee, who drew to the Spider-Man/Green Goblin cover all make small donations of their time and God given gifts in this book. I'm thinking heavy hitters Marvel and DC weren't willing to let their superstars provide more than a single work of art least it interferes with their bottom line. But at least they were allowed to support the CBLDF!

There's at least one other volume out there similar to this. More Fund Comics, also by Sky Dog, benefits my favorite comic book charity. I'd assume with the title that there'd be a 'Fund Comics' out there too. Only, I can't find evidence of it. I'd like to read MFC. But if it's like this book, I'd probably sell it for something I really want. Thus, the first primer is something I will keep an eye out for but I'm not going to add it to my wish list.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

Supernatural Law: Grandfathered In

The Counselors of the Macabre are hired to assist with a family dispute. The heirs of an old house are ready to sell. But the ghost of the grandfather who passed away just isn't willing to let go of the home yet. 

Meanwhile, back at the law firm of Wolff & Byrd, things are not going so well. Most of their accounts are in arrears despite a glut of billable hours. The museum that purchases many of the relics that are used as payment by the firm''s clients has put a moratorium on sales. And Byrd's mother needs expensive life saving treatments after a collapse at home. 

If this all sounds like the last hurrah for Supernatural Law, you're not wrong. Sadly, just a few short months after this graphic novel length story was published, Batton Lash lost his battle with cancer. Grandfathered In does have that 'close the book' feel. But the very last page seems to promise a return of Wolff & Byrd. It could very well be that Batton Lash was working on another volume before his death. So we might see his widow Jackie Estrada and Exhibit A Press running a Kickstarter for that work. Or things could be done. I really hope that's not the case.

Supernatural Law is such a fun series. It's funny. It's nostalgic. It's smart. I really enjoyed doing a deep dive back into the complete comic book run. And when I read this book, things were bittersweet. But in the back of the book, Batton Lash discusses all of the appearances of Wolff & Byrd in print and there's about half a dozen books out there to find. So my experience with Supernatural Law is far from over! (There's also 3 collections of the newspaper strips. I'll re-read those the closer we get to Halloween, I think).

A very nice closer to a favorite franchise. The art was rough. I chalk that up to the illness Lash was battling. But the storytelling was stronger than ever!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Zombie Wife: And Other Tales of Supernatural Law

Zombie Wife continues the adventures of Wolff & Byrd: The Counselors of the Macabre. Though the comic book series Supernatural Law is no more, Batton Lash kept the fun going with a web comic. With a web comic, Lash got to use color, he wasn't restrained by deadlines, page limits or finances. You might think owning your own publishing company would be cookies and cream. But Exhibit A Press had a major cash flow problem despite a loyal following. 

Almost a whole year transpired between the penultimate and final issues!

The main story is titled 'Zombie Wife'. In it, a man is acquitted for the death of his loving bride. As a result, the spouse has not just rolled in her grave, she crawled out and filed a wrongful death civil suit! 

Then the Gorgon Medusa obtains the services of Wolff & Byrd. At first it was to review the contract of her latest tell-all biography. Now it's to defend her from a lawsuit from a rogue cartoonist who has gotten under Medusa's scales! (See what I did there! I said scales not skin because she has snakes for hair!) This one is a longer romp that examines freedom of speech. But it's also a prime example of how Batton Lash would draw characters differently to represent an art form or style instead of being consistent. And I'm finally okay with it!

Then we've got a story about a wiccan who is offended by Halloween. She claims that All Hallow's Eve has been watered-down the legitimacy of true witches. In what is the second holiday themed story of the franchise, I'm kicking myself that I didn't wait for Halloween to read this one!

Zombie Wife is wrapped up with four-color reprints of the Vampire of Hollywood issues. Not sure why Batton Lash decided to reprint those issues. They had just been published in the volume prior. I would have liked to seen a couple of the earliest issues remastered.

The whole book was great. There are hints of the OJ trial, Scott Peterson, Charlie Hebdo, and Madalyn Murray O'Hare. I'm a little disappointed in the choice of floppy reprints (mostly because of how recently I had read them). But I really enjoyed this book!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

A Vampire in Hollywood: And Other Tales of Supernatural Law

The last few issues of Supernatural Law are collected in this volume. 

I personally have a connection to this book as I was one of the backers on Kickstarter for the publication of A Vampire in Hollywood. Yes! My name is really inside this book, somewhere in the back. 

When I backed this project, I opted for an autographed copy of a rare collection of Supernatural Law comic strips commonly known as 'The Red Book', due to the blood red cover. That was about 7 years ago. Just recently, I decided to stop sitting on the pot and complete my collection. (Naturally, I've learned that I'm actually farther away from finishing up my run of Supernatural Law books.)

The cover story of this book is about a 5th generation vampire who's being sued for sexual harassment. The reluctant vampire is claiming to have been outed as a bloodsucker, even though he's a vegetarian. But when his newfound popularity opens the doors to Hollywood stardom, all of a sudden, this milksop will embrace his inner Nosferatu!

While in Burbank, Wolff & Byrd will entertain a series of pitches for a Supernatural Law movie. Led by former Mavis boyfriend, Toby, this pitch session will be anything but normal. 

Oh, and remember when I said that the original Supernatural Law graphic novel, The Werewolf in New York was set to be read before this book? Well, Wolff & Byrd are in California as an in-direct follow-up to the events of that story. While Leon, the werewolf from that graphic novel is never shown, scenes from that graphic novel are used in the 'sequel' story. 

Lastly, things come to an end for both Supernatural Law (the comic book, not the series itself) and Mavis, the sister series. With Mavis, she's got a new beau and she's desperate to show off him at a gathering of friends. But he's got a complicated history with one of the other party goers. And the birthday boy guest-of-honor is nowhere to be found!

With Supernatural Law's last issue, Woff & Byrd defend their most famous client aside from Count Dracula. It's Troma's Toxic Avenger! Toxie has become the pariah of hometown Tromaville and needs the counselors of the macabre to come to his defense. Featuring the George Lucas of Troma Entertainment, Lloyd Kaufman as narrator and extra guest star!

I always enjoy reading Batton Lash's Supernatural Law. But I think this volume was the most fun I've had since reading volume 3: The Vampire Brat. It's got great storytelling. Awesome artwork. And with that last story, it also gets downright silly. And I loved every page of it!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Werewolf of New York: A Supernatural Law Book (A Madman Re-Read)

The Werewolf of New York is the first Supernatural Law original graphic novel. It's also the first full-color story! In the reading order of things, yes, you do skip in-between the individual Supernatural Law issues. At another review post, I'll explain why. But for now, it's all about lycanthropy. 

Leon Reed has a chance encounter with some wolfsbane and turns into a werewolf as a result. During one of Leon's monthly changes, he attacks a man with a gun. Leon claims it was all in self defense. But it's election time and both the New York District Attorney and the judge proceeding over the case are up for re-election. Still, to throw Leon behind bars for a first offense wouldn't be just. So probation and rehab are ordered.

In the 28 days leading up to his next transformation, Leon attends a 13-step program to curb his animalistic urges. Meanwhile, a shape-shifters rights group is in the wings mucking things up. They believe that Wolff & Byrd aren't doing enough for Leon. These activists believe Leon should be encouraged to embrace his wild side and run free. And they're not afraid to flood the airwaves with their message!

Many of the stories of Supernatural Law appear to be parodies of monster flicks. But underneath, a ton of these stories are satire of important social debates of the day. Batton Lash has done stories on the First Amendment, divorce, abortion and many other issues that seem to grace the floor of our higher courts. The Werewolf of New York is a little bit about animal rights as well as gender rights and identity. But the overall message of this graphic novel is about the overly pervasive role of media in our lives. 

Batton Lash's storytelling isn't an issue. It's amazing. And I really liked that Wolff and Byrd's personal lives take a backseat here for a change. But I did think that the artwork was uneven. I've complained in the past about how Mavis looks like she's from Riverdale and different from everyone else. I've gotten over that as I see that Lash likes to incorporate from different art styles. But when Leon changes to a werewolf, Batton Lash for some reason can't draw him consistently. 

There have been other werewolves in this series before. And they've looked amazing. Mostly, because Lash draws upon 100 years of cinema's most iconic lycanthropes. I think when needing to create a changeling from scratch, Lash had some difficulties.

I also want to point out that I recently learned that during this time Batton Lash was having some severe health issues. If the entire book was at a lower level of quality, I would be graceful towards the Supernatural Law creator. But really, it's just the werewolf artwork that is not up to snuff. So, I hope with this re-read, I am being fairer than fair on this. 

I really enjoyed re-reading this one. I really don't seem to remember it all that much from before. That was 8 years ago and it kinda scares me that I seemed to have blanked out on about 80% of this book. But I guess it was fun to feel like I was reading an all-new Supernatural Law story. maybe...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Monsters Meet on Court Street and Other Tales of Supernatural Law

Nope. This one's not a re-read. The Monsters Meet on Court Street was one of about 4 volumes I recently purchased in order to fill my run on Supernatural Law. (FYI- turns out there's still some uncollected stuff out there too!)

Wolff & Byrd: The Counselors of the Macabre, have their work cut out for them in this, the 6th volume in the Supernatural Law collected series. In this volume, the lawyers defend a mafioso who turned into a giant gorilla. In Vol. 5, the mobster, stuck in the body of a 600lb gorilla thanks to an experimental surgery, eventually de-evolved and was sent to live out his days in the Bronx Zoo. Now he's back cognitively and he wants his day in court!

Then Wolff & Byrd help an imaginary friend sue his former best friend, now a wealthy and unscrupulous tycoon who has been blaming the plaintiff for all his company's shysty ways.

My favorite story is about a lonely scientist who discovers a way to communicate with another dimension. Via a sort of television link-up of sorts, the scientist meets another inventor and they fall in love. Add amazing artwork from a pair of comic book legends, a wrongful termination, a restraining order and a twist ending that I knew was coming- I just didn't know what the twist would be- and you have what might be my favorite story of the series so far!

Plus, the world's greatest secretary, Mavis, comes to grips with the fact that her ex-boyfriend, Toby, has moved on. But new love may be in the cards for Mavis, if she can survive the rampaging robot runny rampant in Brooklyn!

A fantastically fun volume that I just couldn't put down. I'm a bit mad at myself as I read this way too fast!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Vampire Brat and Other Tales of Supernatural Law (A Madman Re-Read)

The Batton Law series goes through a bunch of changes with this volume. 

First Wolff & Byrd: Counselors of the Macabre changed its title name to Supernatural Law. Then the super couple of Mavis & Toby splits with Toby heading to Hollywood to become a movie producer and lawyer. Then when the monster friend of a troubled youngster runs amok, the law firm will need to find new office space.

The level of homages and tributes really multiply in these volume as well. There's at least a dozen or more famous teen bloodsuckers peppering the background of the 'Vampire Brat' story. Horror movies legends Vincent Price and Peter Lorre show up in a tale about a mad scientist who discovers a way to capture the human soul. And if you were a fan of the Fat Fury, Herbie, from the 1960s, then you are going to love the last story line of the book!

Plus, the only holiday issue of the series (not counting how it's Halloween every day!) Not sure which winter holiday is being represented. But issue #25 is a great tribute to all of the previous cases and characters to have ever graced the pages of this hilarious series!

When I first read this book, I gave it an 8 out of 10. I think I am going to stick with that rating. The Ally McBeal parody subplot to the Vampire Brat story was absurd. I'm not sure if Batton Lash was trying to be topical or was he really fed-up with feminism? The romance angle seems to be taking away from the fun of the unusual practices of the law. With the Mavis spin-off issues, I think that's okay as it focuses more on the private lives of all the characters as opposed to judicial services. But I feel that Mavis' relationship woes are affecting the rest of the firm.

The series when it deals with the supernatural, macabre and strange is just perfect. Not big on when this series starts being a soap opera. Maybe I've missed something. But I didn't think this was supposed to be like Dark Shadows.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.l

Supernatural Law #25 (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

I think all collectors of any hobby get like this from time to time. You have something on your wish list that's been there seemingly forever, until one day you decide to pull the trigger and complete your set or run. That's what I've been doing with Batton Lash's Wolff & Byrd Counselors of the Macabre/Supernatural Law books lately. I just got the hankering for some never before read Supernatural Law and decided to cash in some trade credit via Amazon to get it. 

Batton Lash got the idea for Wolff & Byrd in the early late 70s when he was a courtroom artist for the New York Judicial System. Lash thought it would be hilarious to have a monster like the Wolfman or Dracula having to go to court for howling at the moon or turning someone into a vampire. Lash managed to convince the small weekly publication, The Brooklyn Paper to run a strip about the spooky courtroom team of Alanna Wolff and Jeff Byrd. In 1983, The Counselors of the Macabre were picked up by the prestigious National Law Journal. 

In 1993, Batton Lash and his wife, San Diego Comic-Con legend Jackie Estrada, started their own independent publishing company, the aptly named Exhibit A Press. After a couple of collections of the strips, Lash decided to start a regular series based on Wolff & Byrd while ending the strip runs. 

The first issue of Wolff & Byrd: Counselors of the Macabre hit stores with a May, 1994 cover date. The series did great with those who were already fans of the series from the other publications. But Lash found it hard to gain new readership due to the title. For one thing, Wolff and Byrd were often misspelled by fans, stores and reviewers. Plus, it seems that the word MACABRE is just impossible to say. A running joke throughout the later issues is the pronunciation of macabre as 'Mack-A-Bree!' 

Trying to curb the confusion, Lash changed the name of the series to Supernatural Law with issue #24. The series ran infrequently at that point up to issue #45 (July, 2008) with a story that saw both the Toxic Avenger and Troma filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman starring as themselves!

The crossover wasn't the end of Wolff & Byrd. Batton Lash ran a couple of Kickstarter campaigns to publish graphic two novel length stories and to complete the trade paperback run of the comic series. The last Supernatural Law story completely finished was 'Grandfathered In' which was released in 2018 just a few short months before Lash's death in January 2019. The story of a ghost who refuses to leave his domicle serves as a bittersweet ending to the series. But I wonder if we'll see the counselors return to court with a new creative team as the last page of the story promises more to come.

The issue I chose for this task in the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge was issue #25. It's the lone holiday issue of the series. Though whether this takes place during Christmas or New Year's Eve isn't quite clear. It's snowing during the story and lots of champagne is drunk. But the only holiday actually mentioned in the story is Bacchanalia which occurs in March.

With many of their accounts in arrears, the law firm decides to host an open house for past and prospective clients. Alanna is just about to join the festivities when she is approached by a time traveler who claims he's a client from the future. Seeking a patent on his time machine, the scientist went back in time to see how things are going on the case. Only, nobody in the firm knows who this guy is!

Issue #25 is not an issue for casual fans. There's either a cameo or a mention of every character to have appeared in the comic book thus far. If you haven't followed the series in some order, you probably will miss a couple of those references. But for an established fan- and for someone who is reading every issue in order- this floppie is a treasure trove of Supernatural Law history. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #4 (Part of a Series) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Sonovawitch! and Other Tales of Supernatural Law (A Madman Re-Read)

The comic book stories of Wolff & Byrd, counselors of the macabre, become even more complex in the pages of Sonovawitch! While story arcs aren't anything new to creator Batton Lash, every issue up to this point has been self contained. For example, it took 13 issues before the lawyers went to trial for Sodd, the Thing that was an It. But the story of a young man accused of hexual harassment due to the meddlings of his witch mom was one in which if you missed an issue, you would be completely lost.

Along with the title story, there's a lot going on in the after hours lives of the employees of the firm. Wolff has taken a break with her beau, the hot shot attorney Chase Hawkins. Jeff Byrd sees his dreams of a love life with model Dawn Devine fly away when she elopes with a Hollywood producer. And the World's Greatest Secretary, Mavis, has a decision to make when boyfriend Toby gets on one knee. 

Don't think that this has turned into a romance series. There's still plenty of supernatural law to be practiced. There's the demon that gets possessed by a human who is being sued for deserting a petty thief in his time of dastardly need. Plus we jump into the future to witness a trio of supernatural law students debate that time a kaiju attacked the Big Apple. 

Another enjoyable read. I must say that even though I've now read this book twice now, the twist ending of the Sonovawitch story still shocked the heck out of me. Wow, was it sad and powerful! But yes- there is a little too much of the mushy stuff floating around as well.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Soddyssey, and Other Tales of Supernatural Law (A Madman Re-Read)

The trial of the man turned swamp thing, Sodd, finally begins. And it ends just about as quick as it starts as Sodd, under the influence of environmentalists, and maybe Cupid's arrow, goes rogue. 

As the man-thing hunt for Sodd is underway, Wolff and Byrd must head down to the Big Easy in order to unravel a snafu with one of Count Dracula's many real estate properties. 

Plus the counselors of the macabre investigate a supposed alien abduction of a small child. Their client is accused of kidnapping the girl in opposition to the custody agreement. Bring in a team of FBI agents investigating paranormal happenings and you've got a X-Files level parody.

Throw in a case involving a neglectful guardian angel, an artist who only paints werewolves, and an IRS case involving a literal dead man and you've got a full case docket. 

There's also a case in which a young woman is impregnated by the devil. The woman is against abortion. But she also doesn't want to give birth to the son of Satan either. This story is actually pretty philosophical as both fundamentalists and occultists join forces on both sides of the debate! With what just happened with the Supreme Court leak, this part of my re-read became unexpectedly topical.

I really wish I could rate this book with an 11 or higher. I feel that even though volume 1 of stories was perfect, this book was superior. That's because any growing pains Batton Lash might have faced in starting a regular comic book series was ironed out. There are added layers of inside jokes, even more complex Easter eggs, and dual sides of the aisle debates in this volume.

 It just keeps getting better from the late Batton Lash. Just another reason I wanted to complete my Supernatural Law run and to re-read the ones I have in my collection.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Tales of Supernatural Law (A Madman Re-Read)

I'm not sure what possessed me but I decided it was finally time to complete my run of Supernatural Law books. As I'm waiting for those gap fillers to come in the mail, I've decided to re-read from the very beginning. 

Okay- not the very, very beginning. See prior to Batton Lash turning his creations of Wolff & Byrd: Counselors of the Macabre into a self published comic book, the pair were the stars of a weekly comic strip in a local New York paper before moving over to a prestigious law journal. I've read the 3 collections of strips and I must say they are a totally different animal from the comic book. 

Most of the action takes place in the courtroom. Main character Mavis is non-existent. As are Toby, Chase Hawkins and members of the Wolff Family. And while the comic strip is humorous, it lacks the campy nature of the comic book. While I may very well re-read those editions, I wanted to start with issue #1 and go all the way through the series, the Mavis spin-offs, the Wolff & Byrd college years one-shot and the couple of graphic novel length stories. 

Re-reading these books is a big deal for me. I feel like life is too short to re-read books. Plus, my collection is just too gosh darn big! There has only been one or two books that I've ever re-read on purpose. I often read stuff over again having forgotten I've read it in the first place. Another reason why I need this blog!

CRISIS and To Kill A Mockingbird. Now add a good portion of Supernatural Law to that list. Very exclusive company. 

How did the first volume do? I enjoyed it very much. It held up quite well. I think I got more of the jokes now that I am a little more in depth within the kitsch horror/sci-fi community. Tons of Easter Eggs, tributes and puns. Fun, fun, fun!

No, seriously! No objections here!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Wolff & Byrd: Counselors of the Macabre (AKA: The Red Book)

My personal copy of the 'Red Book."

  Earlier this year, I entered the realm of crowdfunding. I noticed on a website that artist/ writer Batton Lash was in need of funds to get his latest collection of Supernatural Law comics published. So, I headed over to Kickstarter and made a pledge based on the reward I wanted should Lash's latest project become fully funded.
    Instead of asking for an autographed copy of A Vampire in Hollywood, the book Batton Lash was able to get completely funded, I went for a more obscure reward: this book that I am reviewing now. 
    Known as the 'Red Book' because of it's scarlet cover, this volume is Lash's first ever collection of his earliest comic strips to feature Alanna Wolff and Jeff Byrd; the Counselors of the Macabre. (Interesting side bit, Wolff and Byrd don't even appear in the first two strips! Published in 1987 by Andrion Books, this book has been out of print for decades. Figuring I had a better chance of obtaining a copy of A Vampire in Hollywood than finding a rare book that even Amazon doesn't have in their data base, I choose this as my prize. 
    The 'Red Book' contains adventures including a vampire dentist, a woman seeking divorce because her pushy husband is causing her to disappear, and a trip to London to defend a gentleman werewolf. Along the way, you also get to relive the college years origin of how the two supernatural lawyers met. Rounding out the book was a Christmas themed parody of that Dickens classic, which I waited to read until last in order to be more in the holiday spirit. 
    For being essentially the pilot episode for Supernatural Law, this collection wasn't bad. In his early years, Lash would use up to 8 panels in a comic strip and in this reprinted form, the reading was really tiny. (I could only read a couple of pages at a time before I started to get a headache.) But as an added bonus, even though it wasn't specified on the Kickstarter agreement, my copy was even autographed by Lash himself! 
     A treasured treasury that is hard to find but worth the search.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre: Fright Court

       Wolff and Byrd, the Counselors of the Macabre have their hands full with another docket of strange cases involving Supernatural Law! Cases involve the Boogeyman, whose being bullied by one of the kids he's supposed to scare! Jealousy, the Ol' Green Eyed Monster himself puts the firm on retainer. Plus the duo attend traffic court to assist a man forced to drive a haunted RV get out of his numerous parking tickets. Oh, and I did I mention that Alanna Wolff finds herself suspended after being found in contempt and thus the firm has to pick up a new partner!

     This was perhaps my least favorite collection of Supernatural Law comics. The earlier stuff, which was originally relegated to a 3-5 panel weekly strip in some small papers up North, is creator Batton Lash's work that is most in need of polishing. But what really turned my stomach was the sleaze ball new partner that the Counselors of the Macabre hire on. This guy really just upset the balance of the firm and I found him a total nuisance. 

     Plus, there's a couple of stories that focus on Shakespeare- or at least try to parody it. One was a retelling of Hamlet. The other was even more forgettable. Anyways, I really didn't like them either. 

    Batton Lash's series that skewers the judicial system as well as the horror/ sci-fi genre is awesome. But it's best when the series sticks to horror/sci-fi. Shakespeare and Supernatural Law, like driving and driving just don't mix and should be left to high school plays nationwide. 

   Not Worth Consuming

   Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

Tales of Supernatural Law (Volume 1)

   All Rise!!! Court is now in session. The cases will be defended by the law firm of Wolff & Byrd, the Counselors of the Macabre.  On the docket today is Tales of Supernatural Law.

Case #001- A twist on the Curse of the Monkey's Paw legend when a beloved family pet is wished back from the dead, things don't turn out as they should.
Case #002- The Curse of the Were-House, a lovely two-story home that turns into a haunted house every full moon.
Case #003- A civil case involving zombie workers who've decided to go on strike.
Case #004- The People Vs. Common Decency... A horror TV host from the 1950s on the verge of a comeback is accused of promoting juvenile delinquency.
Case #005- A super model is accused of violating the contract with her modeling agency. She is counter-suing that the hot shot behind the agency used magic to change her appearance. Can the team of Wolff and Byrd see to it that the evidence WEIGHS in her favor?
Case #006- Dracula, yes THE Dracula, sues the sideshow industry for copyright infringement.

  Lastly before the court adjourns to sunny San Diego for the annual Lawyer Convention, the Counselors of the Macabre will seek to postpone the sad case of Sodd, The Thing That's an It, a young man tragically turned into a walking pile of foliage.
    As you can see from this full case load, there are tons of great law stories with a supernatural edge to them. I had read this book years ago when I first discovered the series at my local library. Now that I am collecting the series, I wanted to re-read this collection. I loved it then and I think after my trip down memory lane, I have fallen that much more in love with Supernatural Law.
    I guess artist/writer/creator Batton Lash has cast a spell on me.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre: Supernatural Law

   Before it became a comic book, Wolff and Byrd: Counselors of the Macabre ran as a comic strip in a prestigious law journal as well as several small publications in the North East. This book collects some of those storylines that were published in the mid-80s. Cringe in fear of the possessed moppet that terrorizing Long Island! Shriek in terror at the thought of unraveling 1000 years of Arthurian Legend copyright law! Be amazed at the smug lawyer who developed the world's largest brain! Wonder at the CHUDs that live in Manhattan’s sewers, desperate for free legal advice!

   This is classic B- movie fodder, folks… and I love it! But these were some rough stories.

  Though this book doesn't contain the very first Wolff and Byrd strips, it appears that creator Barton Lash still had some kinks to work out before finally hitting upon that magic formula that made Supernatural Law one of my favorite Indy comics of all-time. The art is rough, but that is mostly due to Lash having to squeeze so much into a tiny 3- panel strip. However, Mavis does look quite right, Wolff's sister is unrecognizable, and what's going on with Byrd's hair?

  The stories are missing something as well. For the most part, Lash's later works are brilliant satires and wry parodies. In this volume, I don't think he could decide yet whether to be serious and scary or go full on tongue-in-cheek. But by the last third of the book, when you get to the Beauty and the Beast TV Show parody, something clicks and it's like Barton Lash has finally discovered his alchemical formula for comics gold!

  You know a lot of classic TV series have early episodes that for one reason or another don't seem quite right for one reason or another and experienced some growing pains. The first season of Newhart wasn't surreal enough. MASH tried to be too much like the movie version at first. And speaking of Growing Pains, that series didn't take off until it stopped focusing on Alan Thicke as the lead role and on the kids and their silly adventures instead.

  It's one reason why I still give this book a high mark. The process of evolution for the Counselors of the Macabre was more enjoyable than some of the early stories. George Washington didn't wake up and was suddenly the Father of Our Country. It took time filled with victories and defeats.

   Our society is so willing to pooh-pooh something that doesn't work right off the bat. Biggest case in point lately is the Batman V Superman movie. I think the Justice League sequels will dwarf the quality of this year's blockbuster. But it needs time and that's what Batton Lash needed to get this project off the ground.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Vampire Brat: And Other Tales of Supernatural Law

  Wolff and Byrd, the Counselors of the Macabre, tackle their most hair-raising case yet when a teenage vampire hybrid is outed and targeted by a young vampire hunter in training in the halls of his high school. It's a story of Buffy- proportions! Afterward, the lawyers decide to celebrate their firm's success and throw an office party that gets interrupted by a time traveling client from the future. Then Wolff and Byrd explore the Id and Ego when another young client hires the firm after his imaginary friend destroys a large chunk of Manhattan.

    Meanwhile, everyone's favorite secretary, Mavis, has her own troubles to deal with. First, her pesky boyfriend Toby asks for Mavis' hand in marriage only to end up being betrothed himself to a spectral bride. Then, Toby decides to up and move to Hollywood while a crush from Mavis' past returns wanting to possibly heat things up. It looks like Mavis has got some choices to make but can she keep up her duties at the law firm while finally figuring out what she wants in love and life? 

   Batton Lash takes things to the next level. But I'm not so sure if it was the right move... 

   One of the things I enjoy so much about this series is how it skewers the horror/ sci-fi/ and pop culture genres. I also enjoy how each chapter is full of intertwining storylines but you can read each issue as a self-contained story and not be lost. But the level of soap opera antics involving love triangles, unrequited love, and sappy romances that took over some of the stories just a little too much. Plus, Wolff's sister whose become the firm's new receptionist is too much and I hope they write her off real soon.

   Vampire Brat was a little too much Young Lawyers in Love as opposed to a campier version of Dark Shadows. I haven't given up on this series, but I hope that future offerings return back to Supernatural Law's original formula- QUICK!

  Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Sonovawitch!: And Other Tales of Supernatural Law

   Wolff and Byrd, the Counselors of the Macabre have their toughest case yet involving a young woman whose been placed under a love spell. She's so head over heels for her boss, the hapless Marty, that he had to let her go and file a restraining order. Now the unwitting Marty is being sued for the first ever case of hexual harassment and it just may be his mama, an honest to gosh witch!

   Along with this monumental case, Wolff and Byrd must juggle a docket full of mobster vampires, Igors accused of preaching the ways of the occult to preschoolers, a Doctor Kevorkian-type who brings people BACK from the dead, and a solo adventure starring the World's Greatest Secretary, Mavis!

   Batton Lash is such a master of spooky satire mixed with elements of Law & Order and soap opera melodrama. On paper, this shouldn't appeal to me as I am not really a fan of sappy fodder. But with the deft homages to classic horror films, pop culture slashers, and retro sci-fi, I am in love with Supernatural Law!

   Another collection of great stuff.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Soddyssey & Other Tales of Supernatural Law (Supernatural Law Volume 3)

   The docket is full for Alanna Wolff and Jeff Byrd, the Counselors of the Macabre. While preparing for a major case involving Sodd, the Living Swamp, the lawyers tackle cases involving a zombie facing tax evasion, a statue that suddenly came to life and refuses to go on a world tour, and then help a certain pair of FBI agents solve a case involving alien abduction. Then the New York-based litigators head down to the Big Easy to help Dracula reclaim his home from squatters before heading back to the Big Apple to resolve the Sodd case.

   I love the series Supernatural Law. It's very under the radar for most people- but like my wife says of me, I'm not most people. I found a collection at the library a good, jeez, I don't know how long. It's campy, cerebral, and spooky take on classic horror stories and urban legends just spoke to me and I instantly feel in love. 

   Created and lovingly crafted by Batton Lash, the brains behind Archie Meets The Punisher, perhaps the most unusual team up of all-time, doesn't disappoint in this awesome treasury. Why I'm so hooked on SL that I immediately went to Amazon after finishing this fantastic book and bought 2 more! It's that good!

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars,

The Werewolf of New York: A Supernatural Law Book

I’m a big supporter of Kickstarter. Let me take that back- I love the idea behind Kickstarter. I’ve yet to ever donate any money to anyone’s projects.

  For those in the ‘no’ Kickstarter is a web site were people who have a project, be it a book, piece of art, a film, or restaurant, that they’d like to do but lack the funds to get starter. These dreamers put together a business plan in hopes of intriguing potential investors. If the project is fully funded, then as repayment, the hopeful entrepreneurs will offer rewards that could range from an autographed CD all the way to a fully catered banquet for you and forty of your friends. The size of the reward is in regards to the amount of money you donate. I think all projects must start with a $1 donation but can go for thousands of dollars.

  I mention all of this because the book I am reviewing came to be thanks to a Kickstarter project. The Werewolf of New York is the latest book in the Supernatural Law series. The brain child of Batton Lash, Supernatural Law follows the law firm of Wolff and Byrd and their high-profile law firm that only takes on cases of the macabre. In this, the first ever graphic novel featuring the team, a reformed werewolf is allowed parole only if he undergoes rehab to rid himself of his monthly urge to howl at the moon.

  Standing in the young man’s way is a group of pro-werewolf activists who feel that such legal judgments are unjust. Wolff and Byrd seem to have the man on the road to recovery when sightings of a mad wolfman begin suddenly. Has our paroled wolf fallen back off the wagon or is this groups of ‘pricks’, that have taken a strange interest in his affliction, behind these new attacks? (I use the word pricks only as it’s an inside joke used to describe the protesters often based on an anagram of their name- not as an insult.)

  I’ve been a fan of Wolff and Byrd for years. Their adventures are bizarre, funny, and actually very technical in a legal sense. Artist and Writer Batton Lash has a very clean style of art and it make look familiar to you. Thanks because Lash has been a frequent contributor to Archie Comics for decades. Here’s my only problem with his art- it’s inconsistent in terms of character renderings. Look at the cover- the werewolf looks super creepy (that’s good), the female, Wolff, looks like a stunning 80s bombshell (that’s good, too), while the guy, Byrd, is all round and dumpy like a fat Reggie (that’s not good!)

  Some characters possess a stylized quality shown in some of the best horror comics of the 70s. Yet ever once and a while, Lash slips in a character that food some reason looks like one of the Archie gang. Why can’t the characters be all gothic looking or all residents of Riverdale?

  When it comes to plotting and storytelling, Lash is top notch and I really have no complaints there. He is known to overuse a joke to the point of near exhaustion. But that can be overlooked as even the characters themselves seem to know that fact. Finding Supernatural Law books is hard to do. It’s an Indy title and a web comic, something I did not know until I read the afterword (or was it the preface?)

I got lucky to find this on the new arrivals shelf of a used book story for literally a song. But now that I know how to get my hands on more material frequently (and in its intended format) I’ll be a frequenting the Supernatural Law web page for here on out. And don’t worry; I haven’t given up on paper comics- a web comic is supposed to be on the web (though it doesn’t hurt to put them to paper.) Plus the web comics’ medium is a great way for aspiring comic artists and writers to get their material out there in hopes of attracting a crowd and maybe a publisher in a more economical fashion. Batton Lash, being a user of Kickstarter understands this. He used his web page to promote this book as well as achieve funding through Kickstarter. Lash understands that a comic is meant for paper. Sadly, the economy makes this fact very hard for the little guy. So, support web comics, folks and hopefully one day they’ll end up where they belong- on the shelf or in the long boxes of your comic book collection.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.