Down Set Fight! TPPublisher: Oni Press
Release Date: February 12, 2014
Price: $19.99
Creator(s): Chad Bowers & Chris Sims (writers); Scott Kowalchuk (illustrator)
Format: 154 pgs., Full-Color, Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-6201-0116-2
Age Rating: N/A by publisher
ICv2 Rating: 3 Stars out of 5
Once you get over the bizarre premise of the book, it has several redeeming qualities. The basic story is that the main character, Chuck Fairlane, was raised by an abusive father for the express purpose of being a rich and famous football player. The mother's cluelessness about the abuse is never explained, which is a weakness, and there are plenty of others in the writing.
Chuck is kicked out of pro football after a bizarre incident, but is forced back into his father's world in an even more bizarre series of events, with sports team mascots apparently attacking pro and ex-pro athletes.
It is at this point that the story stops trying to make sense, which is really too bad. The ensuing craziness is entertaining, but fails to make up for the plot holes and reality holes, preventing it from receiving a higher review score.
The artwork by Kowalchuk is more consistent than the writing, and his layouts and finished artwork made the outrageous fight scenes mostly comprehensible.
The story flashes between police procedural, slapstick comedy, sports story, noir crime fiction, and even romance with dizzying speed. Unfortunately, other than Chuck, none of the characters are quite fleshed out enough to explain important parts of the story.
For teens and adults, due to violence.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library
