Curse Words, Vol. 3: The Hole Damned World

Curse Words #11-15

by Charles Soule (Story), Ryan Browne (Art)

Take a walk down dark, twisting paths into the history of the Hole World, the demonic dimension that spawned Wizord, Margaret, Ruby Stitch and all the rest of your favorite morally dubious sorcerors. We haven't forgotten about our world, though - intrigue and spells and strange, wonderful things abound as Wizord continues his quest to be the baddest wizord New York City's ever seen.

The third chapter of the dark, funny fantasy that NPR says "exists to amuse and astound." From CHARLES SOULE (Daredevil, Darth Vader) and RYAN BROWNE (God Hates Astronauts).

Collects issues 11 through 15.

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Humor, Fiction, Comic Book, Ebooks

136 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2018

About the author

Charles Soule is a #1 New York Times-bestselling novelist, comics author, screenwriter, musician, and lapsed attorney. He has written some of the most prominent stories of the last decade for Marvel, DC and Lucasfilm in addition to his own work, such as his comics Curse Words, Letter 44 and Undiscovered Country, and his original novels Light of the Jedi, The Endless Vessel, The Oracle Year and Anyone. He lives in New York.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ze plot, he thickens, oui?

Soule is going some wild places with this title, I am definitely consistently enjoying all of the antics and the looming dread of what the "real world" consequences of all this magicking are going to be.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

More people should be reading this. I don't know how many ARE reading it, but it should be more.

[CS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bullet Review:

Another fun entry in this light-hearted series (though super weird that Ruby at one point wonders if Wizord is in love with Margaret - I won't spoil anything, but it's a bit squick).

I appreciate how even in this "don't take anything too seriously" series, it manages to surprise me and go places I didn't anticipate.

On to Volume 4!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely improves on volume 2. It was nice seeing Wizord and Ruby working together for the overall goal of the book - Rescue Margaret. The dynamic of the two is explained quite well by Ruby “you’re the one who randomly wrecks things, I’m a precision instrument” and its a lot of fun seeing the 2 play off one another.

The Margaret scenes grew a little tiresome as she was stuck in a box for most of it, but it led to some interesting questions that I sure will be answered in volume 4 or 5.

My only frustration with volumes 1-3 so far is that they are fun but all feel like build up, there needs to be little pay offs along the way but Soule is determined to just have the main over arching story that I think harms the readers interest to stick with the story in the short term

[Dev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if this was technically 'better' than the last volume but I just really love this series and need to rate a volume 5 stars so let's just call it a 4.5 rounded up. It might have been a bit slower than the first two volumes but we got some really interesting backstory and world-building and also a ton of Margaret and I just love Margaret so much. Also I was glad to see in the author's note that he has an actual three year plan for this series because I find it's always better when comics have a set end date and don't just go meandering on pointlessly forever. Can't wait to see where it goes!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best arc in the series, but finally getting some answers to some questions. Plus it is always fun to hang in this world.

[Alex Sarll]

Secrets are revealed and the plot advances, but really I'm just here for that sweet Ryan Browne craziness. Drunk magic frogs! Divorcerors! A quokka with a plan!

[Geoffrey Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume in this series. These issues slow the story down a bit but that really opens it up for some great character moments, which is what I really love in a book. Definitely worth your time 5 out of 5.

[Jamie Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t judge me but I really like this series. 4 stars.

[Des Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a minute to get back into the universe, but once I did, I remembered what makes Curse Words so phenomenal. It's funny as hell, but it's setting is so interesting, complex, and filled with batshit wild lore. There's new context in this volume which makes me want to go back and re-read older issues. There are some real bombs in here, and I just want to know so much more.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review is for the remainder of the series (vols 2-5)

It picks up speed after a confusing and muddled start, dips badly in the middle, but roars to a ridiculous conclusion. Just don't think about the inexplicably circular plot to hard and enjoy the ride.

[Melanie is on Storygraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this too fast because it was due back today. I’m not sure if that’s why I feel kind of “meh” about it, or if I was in the wrong mood, but it just didn’t pull me in like the last two volumes. Nothing I can put my finger on that changed, so I think it’s just me. I also did notice that it didn’t lend itself well to Hoopla on my phone - too much going on to capture on the small screen. This is a terrible way too vague and me-specific review and I’m sorry.

[RG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another absolutely weird wacky world. We get some answers but not enough to really hook me

[Lukas Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still fun, but Soule is guilty of breaking the fourth wall with his own name and that stuff really bothers me.

[Gary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still a good title, but this one didn't really go anywhere and felt like it was stalling a little.

[Noah Appelbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as totally fun as the first two books. This is one of those books that is maybe necessary to move the plot along, but feels like not a ton happens. (Especially in comparison to previous volumes of Curse Words.) It continues to be a little more clever than I expect, but there was less "wow" here. Still ultimately enjoyable though, and the evolution of the characters that does happen here is intriguing.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This builds up some better steam than the second volume did. At this point you're either along for the ride or tapped out. I'm along for the ride. I loved the expanded look at the Hole World and the deepening relationships between our main characters.

[Rick Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tapping out here since I don't find any appeal to this series. While there are some answers in this volume, I personally didn't find any of the reveals to be interesting enough to keep me from coming back. Mostly, the storytelling is rather scattered and random, with some infusion of humor that doesn't land with me ever. Ryan Browne's artwork does seem a bit more polished as the issues go on, so that is nice to see. The colors in particular seemed a fair bit better done and less muddy looking than in the previous volumes.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This newest volume of Curse Words improves on the stagnation of the second volume. Although the plot and characters are still a bit by-the-numbers, Soule at least throws in more jokes. Not all of them work, but enough do, like a witch whose speech bubbles only say "cackle cackle" and then an emotion such as "sad." Browne's art is still some of the best in current comics. His obvious enthusiasm for his bizarre character designs is infectious.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gotta say, I'm not a huge fan of Jacques Zacques as a character. Margaret mostly makes up for it though. I love how each volume has slowly inched her into being the most interesting and mysterious character. She was cute at first, but now she's almost becoming intimidating with the small glimpses into her hidden life.

This series continues to amuse and deftly balances over-the-top humor with just the right amount of depth to give it some oomph. Absolutely ridiculous in a very good way.

[Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is definitely a middle volume. Not much happened here. I think I could sum it up in three sentences. Wizord and Ruby Stitch reunite, kind of. Margarette is captured by the government, but she gets out and finds out she's their child. Jacques Zacques finds out his sons are dead and becomes a wizard for Sizzajee. The panel layout in this series is interesting, but otherwise it's not my thing.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really like this series. This particular volume didn't have as many laughs as previous ones; felt like the middle volume in a series, the one that has to move the plot along. I still love me some Margaret. Jacques Zacques gets quite the story here too.
The art is busy and bright; I hate that it makes me feel old to say it, but the color palate genuinely hurts my eyes after a while.

[Paul Allard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite good follow-up volume about wizards

The story is becoming clearer and some plot lines get completed. It’s improving with age and I’m getting used to the over-colourful artwork. Wizard, Ruby, Margaret, Jacques Jacques and others all play an important part. More to come as other story lines progress.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good middle chapter. Jacque's story trajectory is obvious for the whole thing. Largely, the payoff makes up for it. Wizord and Ruby spin their wheels a little bit, and Margeret is in a box.

It has no revelations, no moments of great importance outside of the last 5 pages. Still, the writing is enjoyable and the art is hella-colourful.

[Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a peculiar story going on. We get a mostly happy reunion between Wizord and Ruby Stitch. We get an interesting journey for Jacques. We learn some truth to the character known as Margaret.

Great ending!

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A notable improvement over the previous installment which had me questioning whether or not I still wanted to read this series. Some truly Gonzo and messed up scenes kept me turning the page.

[Natasha]

I like this series. The world is filled out and the story grows larger, but the tone it started with is maintained throughout. It doesn't take itself too seriously but also keeps the bit of integrity it needs to stay logically inconsistent, i.e.: the jokes don't ruin the story.

[Johan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried. I finished the first two volumes and made it halfway through the third. I don’t like the story and I don’t like the artwork. I quit. I have so many books and comics on my to-read-list that I can’t afford wasting time on series like this.

[Brylliams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much needed improvement over the last volume. Both the story and the structure has improved. I really liked some of the revelations and the color art style continues to enchant me. Gonna finish out this series for sure.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

We get some backstory on Hole World that seems interesting, but then it keeps cutting back to Margaret chilling in a cage and Wizord/Ruby Stitch screwing and screwing around. Part lore drop, part sitting around waiting for something to happen.