Clover Honey

 

By Richard Tommaso (Fantagraphics Books 1995)
ISBN: 1-5609-7196-7

Clover Honey relates the circumstances (it’s too cool, planed down and deconstructed to be comfortably called a story) of Abigail, an apprentice hit-man being tutored by her elder cousin Trevor in modern day New Jersey and its environs amidst a tellingly familiar “Wiseguy” aesthetic. The contemporary working stiff dynamic gets ruptured when Trevor falls foul of their boss and Abigail is instructed to track him down.

This bleak modern noir is more an examination of relationships, familial, professional and spiritual than a gun-totin’ thriller, so think Jim Jarmusch or Bergman rather than Scorsese or Tarantino. And there is the sticking point.

No-one can quibble with the craft and integrity of creator Richard Tommaso. The words and visuals are subtly compelling and seductive. It seems simply to come down to two different offshoots of humanity: Those who get it and them as don’t.

You should find it, read it and then tell me if I liked it or not.

© 1995 Rich Tommaso. All Rights Reserved.