Wormwood, Gentleman Corpse, Vol. 2: It Only Hurts When I Pee

Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse #5-8

by Ben Templesmith

This second collection of Eisner Award-nominated artist Ben Templesmith's Wormwood moves beyond the simply bizarre and into the sublime lunacy that is Lephrechaunia as Wormwood and his posse search for the Leprechaun Queen, the only being capable of lifting the terminal curse that our hero has contracted. But if rabid leprechauns and inter-dimensional travel isn't enough to get your head spinning, enter the Squidmen, a terrifying collective of "gatherers," hell bent on ingesting everything they can get their tentacles on!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics

120 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2008

About the author

Illustrator and writer of graphic novels / comics.
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Photograph of author by Peow Yeong: October 16 2011 at the 2011 New York Comic Convention in Manhattan.

Reviews

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

The second entry in the Wormwood, Gentleman Corpse series, It Only Hurts When I Pee was pretty darn funny.

This time around, our little group has to seek out the Leprechaun Queen because she's the only one that can save Wormy's life. (His corpse suits are rotting away.) The entry into Leprechaun country cracked me up and the Queen made me laugh even harder. Towards the end of the story, there's a meta bit where the author turns up and that was funny too.

This time around I found the humor a bit more juvenile than in the first volume. However, the artwork was great and the tale was amusing, juvenile or not. I settled on a 3.5 star rating and will be moving on to the next entry in the series.

Read from 9.18.22-9.22.22. Removed reading dates so this does not count towards my reading goal.

[ᴥ Irena ᴥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

The Leprechaun Queen is the only one who can remove Wormwood's curse. They are looking for her everywhere.
The Squidmen are in Lephrechaunia too and they recognize Wormwood as their enemy.

Wormwood and his friends do find the Queen eventually and she is hilarious.

[Paul Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially we go back in time and see Wormwood taking part in various battles from the Zulu wars to Caesars campaign's emphasising where he's been and how old he is.
It Only Hurts When I Pee (what a title) starts with Wormwood and his crew on a night out to Scurvey Dave's Friday night Leprechaun fights, the Leprechauns in Wormwoods world are not your jolly Irish midget with a pot of gold but vicious, violent types with nicknames such as Bonechewer, Magnus Stenchmouth and Hercules Bigballs. Leprechauns unfortunately are attracted to Mr Pendulum and he has to fight them off regularly, during the fight my personnel favourite Hercules Bigballs while trying to profess his love for Mr Pendulum slips his chain and is able to bite Wormwood.
Resulting in the Clover infection, that in its final stages causes the bladder to swell like you've been drinking beer nonstop for days and once breaking the seal you die in unimaginable pain and the curse will kill the worm whichever body he changes to.
Is this the end of Wormwood, only the Leprechaun queen can lift the curse and no one has ever seen her.
There’s also a story about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse who are being kept in the penthouse suite of a hotel with a steady supply of prostitutes, cocaine and pizza, bankrolled of course by Wormwood.
The artwork is awesome and Ben Templesmith is highly original, he also shows you how he does it with some drawings at the end from initial sketch to colour, definitely gonna read everything he's done.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

As much as I liked the first volume, I disliked this one. I should have known it was no longer the series for me with the Jesus corpse suit at the beginning, but I figured I'd see if there was anything redeeming after that. It just wasn't as funny as the first one, and the leprechauns are too gross, even with Templesmith's artistic style (which I still do like). When I got to the masturbating pope, I was done.

[jedioffsidetrap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leprechaun mayhem: Wormy bit by a leprechaun & poisoned so seeks Leprechaun Queen for cure, Pendulum’s love interest, Squidmen!!

[Vladimir Jankovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never read Wormwood before this. He's small worm-like alien that enjoys Earth's decadency. He posseses human corpses and wears them as suits which is kinda funny because he's always peaking his small worm head from corpse's eye socket.

It's bizzare, weird and wacky book, with great art style. Humor is a bit 'adult' so to speak, ugly leperchaun strippers with male genitals, heads chopping happens all over the place, violent humor... I can imagine it's not for everyone's taste.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even more entertaining than the first volume. I am so freaked out by leprechauns now. Ugh. Wormy running around as a little girl was hilarious, though my favorite part was when the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse were riding Segways instead of horses.

[Luca Trovati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un occhio poco attento potrebbe giudicare i disegni e lo stile di Templesmith come superficiale, stropicciato e frettoloso.
Bisogna guardare come arriva al prodotto finale per capire quanto impegno e quanta tecnica occorre per realizzare le sue tavole.
Che per me sono arte allo stato puro.
Questo e il fatto che la sua testa è un posto dove non vorrei vivere. Mai. Basta guardare la storia breve sui quattro cavalieri dell'Apocalisse per capire con chi si ha a che fare: un completo pazzo.

[Kuba · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second volume is even better than the first. Leprechaun's fights, queen, and her dance are hilarious. Jesus in the closet made me almost suffocate with laughter.
A story about four horsemen is simply amazing. I was so surprised. Amazing work!

[Omar Fuyu · Rating 3 out of 5]

El arte mola, pero la historia se me hace bastante flojilla. Si se tomase un poquito más en serio o fuese menos chabacano podría ser un rollito a lo Hellboy pero cafre bastante curioso. Pero vaya, de momento meh.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the grittiness and dark humor, this one felt like the author was trying too hard. Still liked it and thought it was worth reading.

[James Harley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, continued from the first one, silly, gory, sexy. All the things a comic can be

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still enjoying this wack-a-doo series.

[Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not as good as the first volume. Leans more into juvenile humour rather than the humour in the horror.

[MissAnnThrope · Rating 3 out of 5]

06 February 2013

Wormwood, Gentleman Corpse, Volume 2: It Only Hurts When I Pee contains the very best description about Wormwood on its first page. I laughed really hard at the last sentence:

”He once gave Nerfititi the clap.”

This volume is another breathtakingly bizarre trip with Wormy and friends that will leave you between fighting the urge to laugh out loud or to puke your guts out. Fantastically disgusting.

Leprechauns, cross-dressers, killer squid, and blasphemy. How could you not be entertained? I sure would like to take a look into Ben Templesmith's twisted brain. I don't know how one person alone can come up with so much strangeness. I'm enthralled, I am. The last chapter of this volume was my favorite. It was so smart and wicked fun. I especially loved Mr. D and the appearance of a certain artist.

Mr. Templesmith seems to be getting into his groove with this series and I look forward to seeing the crazy he will bring in the next volume.

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great second volume in what is still the weirdest graphic novel series that I've ever read - and trust me when I say that I've read some weird stuff. This volume is slightly more disturbing than the first, if only because the leprechauns in this universe are incredibly disgusting little creatures. Not only do they speak in a ridicule-laced gibberish, but the lone female of the species, the Queen, is really a whole other level. So of course, Wormwood and company have to track her down so that she can give him a magical restorative kiss (eughhh) to cure a leprechaun bite. To make matters more complicated, while on thnis quest for the Leprechaun Queen, the crew run afoul of the squidders - beings hell-bent on colonizing the universe. The crew manages (just barely) to evade capture and to shut down the portal to Earth, but I have a distinct feeling that the swiod-men have set their gaze on anywhere that dares to house our esteemed protagonist...

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wormwood is a pretty interesting series and vol 2 keeps the beat. The art is mix of sensual and horrific. It's skillful. The story is as irreverent and crazy as anybody might dream up. Large bunches of people might read this and feel it's terribly demented. Others might detach things like corrupt popes and the four horsemen of the apocalypse doing drugs and killing hookers and just see a certain amount of existential humor. I really have no idea. Fans of Buffy or Angel or Constantine should apply but with the idea that you might actually feel a little dirty afterward. And more dirty than usual. Like many things, it depends upon how you handle the subject matter. Use tongs. Remember to laugh.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another outing into the craziness that is Templesmith's Wormwood. This one is two stories: "It Only Hurts When I Pee" and "Segue to Destruction". Of the two I preferred "Segue" as it wasn't as over the top as "Hurts".

In my opinion, "It Only Hurts When I Pee" went too far into depravity with it's road trip to the land of the Leprechauns. It was over the top violent, sexual and just plain freaky. It was actually a little disturbing.

On the other hand, "Segue to Destruction" hit a much more controlled note with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse more intent on depravity than on bringing on the end of the world. The scence of Death with the Emos was priceless.

[Gerardo · Rating 2 out of 5]

La serie perde molto del suo smalto, diventando anche piuttosto noiosa. I disegni stupendi e la fantasia nel realizzare strani tipi di mostri non basta a sopperire alle evidenti mancanze nella trama. Infatti, la storia di questo volume si limita a: Wormwood si ammala, si va in un'altra dimensione a cercare l'antidoto, lo si trova combattendo contro un nemico, si torna sulla Terra, si combatte un'ultima volta e si risolve tutto. C'è qualche gag simpatica, ma nulla più.

Il volume si conclude con una piccola storia, breve ma migliore rispetto alla precedente: si mostra come il vizio possa colpire anche i quattro cavalieri dell'Apocalisse. Salvando il mondo, così.

[Abby Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this series. My boyfriend in high school lent them to me, and though the relationship didn't last, I still have my now-beat up copies years later.

I love the gritty, dark humor. It's very dry and witty! The art is dark enough to match but the color work has pops of brightness, just like the overall tone. I love scifi and fantasy, so of course I'm a sucker for the plot, but Templesmith's writing is super!

I can't begin to tell you how obsessed I am with these comics. They've informed the book I'm writing now.

[Dan Schuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top notch. Templesmith's art is macabre and beautiful and unmistakably his own. It's rare to find a comic artist who can actually write but Templesmith's stories are engaging, staggeringly original, and often hilarious. It takes a special kind of wacko to not only conceive of something like this but pull it off so remarkably well. Highly recommended reading for fans of horror, fantasy, graphic novels, or anything offbeat. Very unique.

[Josh Storey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't found Wormwood to be nearly as enthralling as Templesmith's other works. Good, yes, but not "OMGSHIT gotta read more right now" good. That was, until I got to the end of "It Only Hurts When I Pee." That last chapter, with the horsemen (not spoiling anything) brilliant. Also, the Squid Men are creepy beyond all fuck.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first introduction to Templesmith's writing and artwork, I fell in love with it instantly. The black humor is nonstop. Just try to keep yourself from laughing out loud; it's hard to explain why tentacle monsters, strippers, necrophilia, and robots can all be so funny. :)
Of the three volumes in the series, this is my favorite because of the leprechauns.

[Tristan Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume definitely had more of a cohesive story with a less random ending. As well the back-up at the end, I found to be very enjoyable. And as before, I was left wanting more Wormwood in my life, I feel like Templesmith is just getting his bearings in this world he's created and know it's just the beginning of some crazily awesome shit.

[Xisix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazingly funny grim weird phantastickal tale from Templesmith who brought 30 Days of Night to page. Didn't even know this volume was out until stumbled cross it. Ole Wormwood ends up chasing a leprechaun Queen in typical weird crude fashion. Enjoy the art scrawled over the atmospheric tones.

[William Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection wasn't as good as the first. I have a feeling that's because it's a lead up to the third volume. I can tell by the title of the third book that it's a continuation of this storyline but I feel that this one was too short. The art is still great but light on story. Not enough meat on the bone in this collection.

[Jesse Bullington · Rating 3 out of 5]

What got the whole Templesmith ball rolling this year. I now have a drag queen leprechaun burned into my retinas. Thanks to those responsible for the rec, and thanks to Mr. Templesmith for rendering said leprechaun in such detail. Something new to the legend, indeed.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the works of Ben Templesmith: the stories are funny, albeit puerile; The characters quirky yet still comic book characters; the plots ludicrous but strangely compelling. In short, all the Wormwood series is like a tragic ten-clown-car pile up - simultaneously tragic and comic.

[Meran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our buddy, Wormy, saves the world once again. He's added an ex-stripper to his entourage though. She's his "back up" muscle, helping out the robot, who now has "bits".

And oh, yeah, his usually preferred corpse ride is under the weather, so he uses a back-up: a young girl, with pig tails!

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, Templesmith's art is superb as always and this volume maintains the delightful wackiness and morbid humor that is the series bread and butter. My edition also came with Segue to Destruction, which has one of my favorite moments in, the Four Horsemen on Segues.