Pastrami Comic Review: The Invincible Haggard West #101

Review by Nolan P. Smith-Pastrami Nation

Writer: Paul Pope

Artist: Paul Pope

Publisher: First Second   

Released: July 2013

Website: www.firstsecondbooks.com

Gather around, everyone, and let me tell you about the last time our hero was seen. Let me tell you about a story 100 issues in the making. Let me tell you about the Death of Haggard West.

Now, you might be thinking: what the hell are you talking about? Who’s Haggard West? And how have I never heard of the comic if it’s had over 100 issues? That’s the point of this brilliant lead in to Battling Boy, an original graphic novel coming this October from the creative mind of Paul Pope (Batman: Year 100).

This #101 issue (really the first issue) is an amazing piece of work and serves a tremendous purpose as the set up for Battling Boy. Haggard West is, well, like the name says, haggard. He’s the hero of the city, the rugged, and tough as nails super sheriff if you will, policing his city and keeping it safe. Well, with the subtitle of the book being “The Death of Haggard West”, I guess it’s apparent what happens here.

Paul Pope crafts the perfect entry point into this new world, showing us a brand new hero and then snatching him away just as quickly. The book, being the only single-issue comic book First Second has ever produced, is a stroke of genius in marketing. What better way to hook a reader into a new graphic novel than offering a $3 taste of what’s to come?

With Paul Pope’s amazing artistic ability, it was easy to get hooked on this book. The pulp style action, the build up to the inevitable end, the crazy character designs inside: this is an amazing book, plain and simple. Pope shows the world why we should buy Battling Boy this October, and I’m first in line. You want action? Adventure? Surprise? Eye-popping artwork? It’s all right here. I give The Invincible Haggard West #101 a perfect FIVE out of Five: THIS is a shining example of comic greatness.