THE LEG: The Remarkable Reappearance of Santa Anna's Disembodied Limb

by Van Jensen, José Pimienta (Illustrator), Matthew Petz (Colors & Letters)

Writer Van Jensen (PINOCCHIO, VAMPIRE SLAYER; THE FLASH) and artist Jose Pimienta bring you the strangest hero that comics have ever seen! The disembodied leg of Santa Anna has returned from the grave -- and with Mexico once again in peril, it's up to the Leg to save the country in this rollicking, surreal adventure story that blends Spaghetti Westerns with Mexican history and folktales. Join the Leg on his unforgettable journey.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

196 pages, Paperback

First published November 18, 2014

About the author

Van Jensen is the acclaimed author of the award-winning GODFALL trilogy (Grand Central). The sci-fi/thriller genre mashup series is in development for TV with Academy Award winner Ron Howard attached to direct and Jensen serving as executive producer.

Jensen was born and raised in the farm country of Western Nebraska where he wrote and drew stories as soon as he could hold a pencil. He became a newspaper crime reporter, then a magazine editor, and eventually an author of comic books and graphic novels. He has written some of the world’s biggest characters, including James Bond, Godzilla, and The Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern for DC Comics. His original graphic novels include ARCA (IDW), Two Dead (Simon & Schuster/Gallery 13), Two Dead (Dark Horse), and Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer (Top Shelf/IDW).

He also writes and produces for film and TV.

Reviews

[Gia Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely bizarre. A little girl and her adventures in Mexico with a disembodied ghost leg. what is not to love?

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had this on my shelf for years and finally read it straight through. Bizarre, surreal and beautifully illustrated, it's a tale that beggars belief -- but is a fun read if you leave your thinking cap at the door. A strange confluence of multiple coincidences woven together into something altogether different. I can't say I've ever seen a boot's emotions portrayed so well.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, I don't know what just happened there.

[Judy Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, sweet. I liked the art style and it was an easy read through a slump

[Elwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strange quirky story about an orphan girl befriending the animated leg of one of Mexico's military presidents and administering justice.

Unique excellent artwork.

[Andrew Garvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inventive, engrossing read, this graphic novel about the disembodied leg of a Mexican national hero (whose incredible career also included being a reviled dictator), out on a quest for revenge that’s largely related by a crow, is an unusual book.

It’s an odd premise but if you can’t accept a little strangeness what are you doing reading comics anyway? And as the story progresses, the leg displays an almost shockingly coherent personality thanks to Van Jensen’s scripting and Jose Pimienta’s bold artwork.

The Leg and his sidekick (sorry), a little girl on her own quest to travel to Mexico City and become a princess make a great and hugely likeable pairing as they encounter a gang of murderers and several characters from both Mexican folklore and history.

A story like this – part spaghetti western, part magical realist fairy tale, part historical fiction, part children’s adventure – probably shouldn’t work. That it’s as good as it is, and at times it’s a genuinely beautiful story, is proof of how talented Jensen and Pimienta are.

Definitely recommended.

For more on the real story behind Santa Anna’s leg, see number three:
http://www.history.com/news/history-l...

[Jake Forbes · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm happy for Jensen that he was able to make this passion project happen. This is the sort of book that only gets made when someone cares a lot. In this particular case, the creators' vision didn't connect with me at all. The mix of fantasy and history, whimsy and grit was a bit of a train wreck.

[Johanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

letting go of strict narrative sense to open up a surreal playspace is something comics can be great for--but the reader has to feel the dream logic. found this really hard to follow and read, in a literal way--who said that? what is that thing on his face? why is diego rivera so skinny?

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art a perfect match for the story. The author takes Santa Ana's reanimated leg and a little girl and make a magical journey out of the combination. A unique story told well and worth the read.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightful. A cute, touching story with fantastic art throughout. The colorist on this is certainly a genius.

[Chad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weird little story that kind of just meandered.

[Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, strange and beautiful book about a girl and a leg who go on a journey. All heart.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little disjointed story, that is fantastical. Lots of tropes used. Lots of mysticism.

[Reverenddave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly strange little book. But then, that's what piqued my curiosity in the first place.

[Heather Layne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, that was weird.