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Grass Kings #1-6
Grass Kings Vol. 1
Three brothers who rule their own trailer park kingdom must face off against the sheriff of a neighboring town who wants their territory.
From The New York Times bestselling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) and Peter Panzerfaust artist Tyler Jenkins comes the Eisner Award-nominated rural mystery series chronicling the tragic lives of the Grass Kings, three brothers and rulers of a self-sufficient trailer park kingdom—a fiefdom of the hopeless and lost seeking a promised land. The grass kingdom is run by middle brother Robert, who has been grief-stricken since losing his daughter years ago. When a mysterious young woman flees to their community in search of safety, Robert takes her in. As her true identity comes to light, Robert must decide if his chance at atonement is worth risking the entire kingdom.
From The New York Times bestselling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) and Peter Panzerfaust artist Tyler Jenkins comes the Eisner Award-nominated rural mystery series chronicling the tragic lives of the Grass Kings, three brothers and rulers of a self-sufficient trailer park kingdom—a fiefdom of the hopeless and lost seeking a promised land. The grass kingdom is run by middle brother Robert, who has been grief-stricken since losing his daughter years ago. When a mysterious young woman flees to their community in search of safety, Robert takes her in. As her true identity comes to light, Robert must decide if his chance at atonement is worth risking the entire kingdom.
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
August 21, 2020
Matt Kindt seems to be the not quite as good imitation of Jeff Lemire. That trend continues here. Think Brigg's Land with some elements of Scalped. A community living off the grid gets drawn into conflict with a nearby town's sheriff. No one on either side is at all likable or even a sympathetic character, nor have we been given real introductions to the majority of characters. They're all paper thin. By the time the big shootout came about, I would have been fine with everyone on both sides dying. Tyler Jenkin's art was way too sketchy and ill-defined for me. While the watercolors themselves were soothing, they worked to further obscure the art.
December 23, 2018
The uneasy peace between the secessionists of “The Grass Kingdom” is shattered after the wife of the sheriff in the nearby town runs off to join them - yawn, conflict ensues…
Grass Kings is another Matt Kindt stinkbomb. The dull story is about one group of unlikeable twerps ragging on another group of unlikeable twerps. There’s a line at the start where one dickhead says “Welcome to the Grass Kingdom - where fools like you come to get their asses kicked” which essentially sums up the whole dismal, pointless mess: it’s a book about ignorant thugs who like to fight. Thanks, I hate it!
I mean, why is “The Grass Kingdom” important anyway? There are numerous flashbacks throughout showing conflict on this patch of dirt but so what - every area on the planet has a history of people through the ages fighting on it, what’s so special about this place?
Beyond the tedious gunplay between the morons, Kindt offers up a vague storyline of a killer from long ago that was never caught that authorities think came from the Kingdom while the leader of the group is dealing with his daughter going missing years ago, but it’s feeble stuff that completely failed to interest me. I couldn’t stand Tyler Jenkins’ watercolour art either - it’s as wishy-washy and unappealing as Kindt’s writing.
In Grass Kings Matt Kindt is basically trying to do what Jason Aaron did with Scalped and Brian Wood did with Briggs Land: write an engaging modern crime drama about American outsiders. Except Kindt isn’t nearly as talented a writer as either Aaron or Wood so you’re left with a boring, forgettable and stupid comic. Don’t bother with Grass Kings - do bother with Scalped and Briggs Land instead.
Grass Kings is another Matt Kindt stinkbomb. The dull story is about one group of unlikeable twerps ragging on another group of unlikeable twerps. There’s a line at the start where one dickhead says “Welcome to the Grass Kingdom - where fools like you come to get their asses kicked” which essentially sums up the whole dismal, pointless mess: it’s a book about ignorant thugs who like to fight. Thanks, I hate it!
I mean, why is “The Grass Kingdom” important anyway? There are numerous flashbacks throughout showing conflict on this patch of dirt but so what - every area on the planet has a history of people through the ages fighting on it, what’s so special about this place?
Beyond the tedious gunplay between the morons, Kindt offers up a vague storyline of a killer from long ago that was never caught that authorities think came from the Kingdom while the leader of the group is dealing with his daughter going missing years ago, but it’s feeble stuff that completely failed to interest me. I couldn’t stand Tyler Jenkins’ watercolour art either - it’s as wishy-washy and unappealing as Kindt’s writing.
In Grass Kings Matt Kindt is basically trying to do what Jason Aaron did with Scalped and Brian Wood did with Briggs Land: write an engaging modern crime drama about American outsiders. Except Kindt isn’t nearly as talented a writer as either Aaron or Wood so you’re left with a boring, forgettable and stupid comic. Don’t bother with Grass Kings - do bother with Scalped and Briggs Land instead.
June 12, 2024
Wow - cult or utopia - not quite sure. Definitely hooked on this story line; art really meshes well with the narrative. Closed communities have a way of bringing out the best and worst of people; this tale really looks deeply into the nature of social groups and how different acts can strengthen or weaken the cohesiveness of a group.
November 2, 2017
Volume one of Matt Kindt's series about a trailer park "kingdom" in the American west, grasslands. I read half of this in single issues and now read the whole thing. This is a community we think we know, a group of people who are very poor, the underclass, with guns. Rednecks, cultists. Is this Twin Peaks? The Oregon militia? Western ranchers taking on the govamint? The land has a violent history. We get glimpses of centuries of violence in this location.
And in the present, all is not well here; 1) An outsider has been caught trespassing on the Grass Kingdom’s territory, that include a bunch of mobile homes and trashed-out buildings.
and 2) Robert, one of three brothers, the leader of the group--the king--is grieving the loss of his daughter, possibly from drowning, and the subsequent break from his marriage. A woman, Maria, comes out of the water, Robert takes her in. Is he delusional? Is this his daughter?!
A violent clash happens between the town and the encampment and we are not sure how things will get resolved, finally. There would seem to be a serial killer in the area. Gotta find out what this is about, clearly. But Kindt doesn’t create an ideological portrait. We don’t really know why the Grass Kingdome exists so far except. . . freedom. And to create a community. Is it a version of white libertarianism? Either way, Kindt creates sympathy for these folks on both sides of the conflict, as they are all fiercely independent people, westerners. And I like that, because I kind of have had this stereotypical view of these communities, I’ll admit, being an urban Midwesterner. So I’m interested. And Tyler Jenkins's artwork fits Kindt's storytelling, Kindt/Lemire sketchy, with very nice watercolors.
And in the present, all is not well here; 1) An outsider has been caught trespassing on the Grass Kingdom’s territory, that include a bunch of mobile homes and trashed-out buildings.
and 2) Robert, one of three brothers, the leader of the group--the king--is grieving the loss of his daughter, possibly from drowning, and the subsequent break from his marriage. A woman, Maria, comes out of the water, Robert takes her in. Is he delusional? Is this his daughter?!
A violent clash happens between the town and the encampment and we are not sure how things will get resolved, finally. There would seem to be a serial killer in the area. Gotta find out what this is about, clearly. But Kindt doesn’t create an ideological portrait. We don’t really know why the Grass Kingdome exists so far except. . . freedom. And to create a community. Is it a version of white libertarianism? Either way, Kindt creates sympathy for these folks on both sides of the conflict, as they are all fiercely independent people, westerners. And I like that, because I kind of have had this stereotypical view of these communities, I’ll admit, being an urban Midwesterner. So I’m interested. And Tyler Jenkins's artwork fits Kindt's storytelling, Kindt/Lemire sketchy, with very nice watercolors.
May 29, 2018
Jeff Lemire meets Jason Aaron’s Southern Bastards, Grass Kings is violent, haunting, and honest. It’s crime fiction meets rural drama. Watercolor adds to the sparse tone. Absolutely brilliant.
April 16, 2018
Grass Kings is a "different" story but a pretty interesting one.
For years and years the Grass Kingdom was under a small community who wanted to be away from all other people. In doing so they began forming a family of sorts around this place. However, as the story progresses, you see the cracks in the foundation of the family and others who live inside there. And then when outsiders come in, it only gets worse.
Good: The art is solid. I really liked the design for a lot of it. I also thought the start was intriguing and interesting throughout. The loss of a character is well done, sad, and crafted well to give you all the emotions you need.
Bad: The ending wasn't nearly as captivating as the start. The "showdown" was just okay. Not very interesting or any twist I didn't see coming.
Overall, for it's different style, and story, I enjoyed it. It has issues but a good start. I'll check out volume 2. A 3 out of 5.
For years and years the Grass Kingdom was under a small community who wanted to be away from all other people. In doing so they began forming a family of sorts around this place. However, as the story progresses, you see the cracks in the foundation of the family and others who live inside there. And then when outsiders come in, it only gets worse.
Good: The art is solid. I really liked the design for a lot of it. I also thought the start was intriguing and interesting throughout. The loss of a character is well done, sad, and crafted well to give you all the emotions you need.
Bad: The ending wasn't nearly as captivating as the start. The "showdown" was just okay. Not very interesting or any twist I didn't see coming.
Overall, for it's different style, and story, I enjoyed it. It has issues but a good start. I'll check out volume 2. A 3 out of 5.
April 19, 2018
A far-fetched sketch of a story executed in a ham-fisted manner is not what I would expect of Matt Kindt, but here it is. A racially integrated civilian militia freehold? Armed combat with law officers resulting in fatalities that is swept under the carpet? Oh, and a serial killer too? Really? Reeeeeeally?
Hillbillies, Posse Comitatus, militias, and sovereign citizens seem to be having a real moment in fiction right now with this, Briggs Land, Vol. 1: State of Grace, and the Outsiders TV show. Are they trying to appeal to extremist Trump supporters or mocking them? All three of my examples bored me after a first sampling, so I guess I won't find out.
Hillbillies, Posse Comitatus, militias, and sovereign citizens seem to be having a real moment in fiction right now with this, Briggs Land, Vol. 1: State of Grace, and the Outsiders TV show. Are they trying to appeal to extremist Trump supporters or mocking them? All three of my examples bored me after a first sampling, so I guess I won't find out.
November 11, 2018
As with all Matt Kindt volumes, it snags you at the end with a hook. Do I continue? It was an intriguing end.
Another thing I notice about Kindts story telling, it’s suited to a messy, pastille coloured kind of drawing.
Another thing I notice about Kindts story telling, it’s suited to a messy, pastille coloured kind of drawing.
October 8, 2019
Three brothers rule a small territory that keeps to itself, maintaining a strained relationship with the local sheriff who is intent on infiltrating their land.
When a young woman on the run arrives in the grass kingdom, oldest brother and leader Robert takes her in. The woman reminds him of the daughter he has spent years grieving.
The tragedies of the past resurface and soon the kingdom has a decision to make when they face off against the sheriff.
This was a wonderfully executed graphic novel with major country noir vibes. I love the subplots that are left like small threads throughout to unravel later. I'm looking forward to continuing this series!
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
When a young woman on the run arrives in the grass kingdom, oldest brother and leader Robert takes her in. The woman reminds him of the daughter he has spent years grieving.
The tragedies of the past resurface and soon the kingdom has a decision to make when they face off against the sheriff.
This was a wonderfully executed graphic novel with major country noir vibes. I love the subplots that are left like small threads throughout to unravel later. I'm looking forward to continuing this series!
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
January 22, 2018
This is another favorite series of mine from 2017, and as with Lemire’s Royal City — for better or worse, I link these two titles together — I’ve reread to take in once again the joy of engaging with this narrative. This is different from other Kindt series, in that it’s not the kind of genre-base story (e.g., crime, sci-if, fantasy) we usually see from him. I love Kindt’s art, and usually prefer his stories where he does both art and writing. But Jenkins is outstanding here in visualizing Kindt’s ideas.
July 6, 2018
Just didnt work for me. So far I havent bee able to feel Kindts writing. Solid crime story set in a small town. However the intrigue slowly died off for me and the conclusion was a let down. The artwork being water colour type style also felt weird. Its never really appealed to me yet.
May 19, 2019
There is another "preppers" story about town which separated itself from the state. Like Sheltered, or more likely Brigg's land. Matt Kind so far works for me, which is a rare occasion. As you can know, I have a thing with Matt. He picks topics which I'm interested in and made them somehow weird for me. But I don't give up. And with the Grass Kings so far so good. But there is nothing really new, better, or different. Some group of people defined by land, ruled by family ties, separated itself from the rest of the world. And that's ticking bomb because there is thin ice between them and the surrounding neighbourhood's law. And that ice cracked and here comes the thunderstorm. There is usually some inner dispute because it couldn't be just us versus them, but I'm waiting on that here. Let's move to the art. Tyler Jenkins. His art is very distinctive, so I can literally copy what I wrote with Snow Blind: "crime story with watercolour colouring (which I like, but here is more casual, flimsy and not really impressive)". And that fits. I have a kind of ambivalence about the art. I like it, but I hate how messy it is. The ink is neurotic and the watercolours are more puddles of paint. Precisely placed, but still puddles. There is no beauty in that. But I do not hate it, and with Tyler's covers - I kinda like them. Grass Kings is not bad comics. It's actually good, adult comics with specific art and a fine story. 3,5 stars, if I could.
March 14, 2019
Hmmm … maybe I'm just building up a tolerance for Matt Kindt or something, but this wasn't as good as I was expecting.
The setting is the real star of this series. We’ve got the Grass Kingdom, a community of folks who’ve essentially declared sovereign nation status. They get away with it mostly by keeping a low profile. The nearest town, Cargill, are likely the only folks for miles who’ve even heard of the Grass Kingdom. The local sheriff, Humbert, argues that he has jurisdiction, but mostly refuses to press the issue, not wanting a repeat of the whole Branch-Davidian thing. There's past friction between him and Robert, the leader of the GK crowd. Robert’s daughter disappeared years ago, and he's not happy with how Humbert handled the investigation. So when Humbert’s wife runs out on him and takes refuge in the Grass Kingdom … things are touchy. And that's not even taking into account the rumors of a serial killer hiding there …
That all sounds like a fairly interesting story, but it comes across as rather flat. Granted, this first volume is more about introducing characters than anything else, but still … The art is lovely, the plot is intriguing, but the execution just didn't do much for me. Possibly I’m not reading closely enough and missing something? For whatever reason, I found this a bit of a struggle to get through. Your mileage may vary.
The setting is the real star of this series. We’ve got the Grass Kingdom, a community of folks who’ve essentially declared sovereign nation status. They get away with it mostly by keeping a low profile. The nearest town, Cargill, are likely the only folks for miles who’ve even heard of the Grass Kingdom. The local sheriff, Humbert, argues that he has jurisdiction, but mostly refuses to press the issue, not wanting a repeat of the whole Branch-Davidian thing. There's past friction between him and Robert, the leader of the GK crowd. Robert’s daughter disappeared years ago, and he's not happy with how Humbert handled the investigation. So when Humbert’s wife runs out on him and takes refuge in the Grass Kingdom … things are touchy. And that's not even taking into account the rumors of a serial killer hiding there …
That all sounds like a fairly interesting story, but it comes across as rather flat. Granted, this first volume is more about introducing characters than anything else, but still … The art is lovely, the plot is intriguing, but the execution just didn't do much for me. Possibly I’m not reading closely enough and missing something? For whatever reason, I found this a bit of a struggle to get through. Your mileage may vary.
September 1, 2019
With its stylized title font above a sparsely gorgeous watercolor image of a hockey stick-wielding man walking across a rust-stained industrial lot towards a bound man on his knees, it would be easy to mistake “Grass Kings, Volume One” as the new book by Jeff Lemire. No one does melancholic rural noir comics quite like the Canadian superstar. Look again, though. “Grass Kings” is actually the work of action and espionage specialist Matt Kindt (“Pistolwhip,” “Dept. H.,” “MIND MGMT,” etc.) with art duties handled by Tyler Jenkins (I’ll get to him in a second). So gritty that dirt practically spills out when you turn a page, “Grass Kings” isn’t - as some on Goodreads have suggested - a Lemire knock-off, but its own unique, hard-boiled examination of how violence, guilt, and regret can undermine a seemingly idyllic community. And it’s a stunner.
The titular Kings are actually the three Godkins brothers, who rule over a dilapidated trailer park that serves as home to a living-off-the-grid band of libertarian secessionists. Their insular society greatly irks the local authorities so, when a mysterious young woman stumbles onto the property, stirring up old suspicions and opening old wounds, you just know there’s going to be some blood shed. Kindt’s writing has always had a bit of an edge to it but “Grass Kings” really lets him off the leash. What separates this series from Lemire’s work in, say, “Roughneck” or “The Underwater Welder,” is that the folks in “Grass Kings” aren’t people who welcome trouble. Largely, they’re humble, blue-collar workers just trying to lead humble, quiet lives; Lemire’s characters tend to be much more confrontational. Kindt’s writing here is very grounded but he doesn’t fall onto the overused narrative crutch of how honorable these outlaws are, like you see so often in books like “Preacher” or “The Walking Dead.” Kindt is a patient writer who lets his story and characters reveal themselves organically, and he uses little vignettes from the violent history of the site of the Grass Kingdom to establish the tone of the book. And Tyler Jenkins! Hooooly shiiiiit! This dude can DRAW! As comics become increasingly digital and sleek and lifeless, Jenkins’ work in “Grass Kings” is a fucking breath of fresh air. Analog, sloppy, and completely mesmerizing, every page is a walk-off grand slam. His linework is jittery and crackling with energy and his watercolor washes are spontaneous and endlessly surprising. “Grass Kings” won the 2018 Eisner Award for Best New Series and you don’t need to read more than a page or two to fully understand why.
Balancing down-to-Earth conflicts with a dreamy tone, “Grass Kings” is something special. Highlighting an often overlooked - and criticized - segment of society, “Grass Kings” is like a sucker punch to the kidneys, artistically speaking: you don’t see it coming and it leaves you smarting for quite a while afterwards. This volume, collecting the first six-issue arc, ends with hints towards an even bigger threat, one that lurks within the Kingdom instead of originating in the outside world, and I’m dying to see where Kindt and Jenkins go with that. Simply put, “Grass Kings” is royally awesome!
The titular Kings are actually the three Godkins brothers, who rule over a dilapidated trailer park that serves as home to a living-off-the-grid band of libertarian secessionists. Their insular society greatly irks the local authorities so, when a mysterious young woman stumbles onto the property, stirring up old suspicions and opening old wounds, you just know there’s going to be some blood shed. Kindt’s writing has always had a bit of an edge to it but “Grass Kings” really lets him off the leash. What separates this series from Lemire’s work in, say, “Roughneck” or “The Underwater Welder,” is that the folks in “Grass Kings” aren’t people who welcome trouble. Largely, they’re humble, blue-collar workers just trying to lead humble, quiet lives; Lemire’s characters tend to be much more confrontational. Kindt’s writing here is very grounded but he doesn’t fall onto the overused narrative crutch of how honorable these outlaws are, like you see so often in books like “Preacher” or “The Walking Dead.” Kindt is a patient writer who lets his story and characters reveal themselves organically, and he uses little vignettes from the violent history of the site of the Grass Kingdom to establish the tone of the book. And Tyler Jenkins! Hooooly shiiiiit! This dude can DRAW! As comics become increasingly digital and sleek and lifeless, Jenkins’ work in “Grass Kings” is a fucking breath of fresh air. Analog, sloppy, and completely mesmerizing, every page is a walk-off grand slam. His linework is jittery and crackling with energy and his watercolor washes are spontaneous and endlessly surprising. “Grass Kings” won the 2018 Eisner Award for Best New Series and you don’t need to read more than a page or two to fully understand why.
Balancing down-to-Earth conflicts with a dreamy tone, “Grass Kings” is something special. Highlighting an often overlooked - and criticized - segment of society, “Grass Kings” is like a sucker punch to the kidneys, artistically speaking: you don’t see it coming and it leaves you smarting for quite a while afterwards. This volume, collecting the first six-issue arc, ends with hints towards an even bigger threat, one that lurks within the Kingdom instead of originating in the outside world, and I’m dying to see where Kindt and Jenkins go with that. Simply put, “Grass Kings” is royally awesome!
September 5, 2018
I see why this book gets the love it does from those who've found it. There is an interesting subtlety to the writing. It draws you in, but at a slow enough pace for the story to build with some suspense. The art is reminiscent of Descender, Vol. 1: Tin Stars or Royal City, Vol. 1: Next of Kin with it's soft water colors over loose line characters. The writing also has some tinges of Jeff Lemire or Jason Aaron, specifically Southern Bastards, Vol. 1: Here Was a Man. I don't often use comparisons in reviews like this, but this was comfortable, almost familiar and I think it's because of how it felt tonally like these others while being it's own story.
Really good read. A little dark, a little mysterious, very open-ended.
Really good read. A little dark, a little mysterious, very open-ended.
April 8, 2018
Good story, promising start. There's room to grow these characters and add more. The hardcover has nice heavy oversized paper, sewn into the spine, the pages open completely so that full bleed art can be seen with no gutter problems.
January 30, 2019
Matt Kindt is pretty cool.
Grass Kings seems to be about a little town that has successfully seceded from the United States(?) I'm not totally sure that it's the U.S. or that the town is really, totally seceded, but that's the basic setup here.
If I had my own country? If I made the rules? Boy, that's a question. I fantasize about opening my own GYM just so I can kick people out for petty reasons.
86-able offenses at my gym?
Spitting- In the drinking fountain, in the garbage. I don't give a shit. Here's a quick guide to places you can spit: Can you pee there? If the answer is no, then you can't spit there either.
Using the squat rack for like 30 minutes- Nope. Just nope. Get in there, do your shit, and get out.
Texting- GTFO.
Mirror selfies- Don't get caught. Banned for life. That's not what those mirrors are for, fool!
Asking someone to spot you for an asinine amount of time- This happened to me once. This asshole asked for a spot, I said sure, and then it turned out he was doing this thing where he loaded up a barbell from empty to 8 10 lb. plates on each side, 20 lbs at a time. So he had 8 steps going up, 8 coming down. 16 sets. This took goddamn forever. That dude is gone-zo.
Romance- No romance of any kind. No flirting, no picking people up. Fuck all that shit.
Overly loud grunting- If you're doing something that requires that much grunting, you're overdoing it, sir.
Dropping weights- If you can't put it down gently, it's too heavy for you, bro.
Food and drink other than water- Drink water, fuckers. That's all you need.
Weightlifting sessions longer than 2 hours- Seriously, get a life.
Grass Kings seems to be about a little town that has successfully seceded from the United States(?) I'm not totally sure that it's the U.S. or that the town is really, totally seceded, but that's the basic setup here.
If I had my own country? If I made the rules? Boy, that's a question. I fantasize about opening my own GYM just so I can kick people out for petty reasons.
86-able offenses at my gym?
Spitting- In the drinking fountain, in the garbage. I don't give a shit. Here's a quick guide to places you can spit: Can you pee there? If the answer is no, then you can't spit there either.
Using the squat rack for like 30 minutes- Nope. Just nope. Get in there, do your shit, and get out.
Texting- GTFO.
Mirror selfies- Don't get caught. Banned for life. That's not what those mirrors are for, fool!
Asking someone to spot you for an asinine amount of time- This happened to me once. This asshole asked for a spot, I said sure, and then it turned out he was doing this thing where he loaded up a barbell from empty to 8 10 lb. plates on each side, 20 lbs at a time. So he had 8 steps going up, 8 coming down. 16 sets. This took goddamn forever. That dude is gone-zo.
Romance- No romance of any kind. No flirting, no picking people up. Fuck all that shit.
Overly loud grunting- If you're doing something that requires that much grunting, you're overdoing it, sir.
Dropping weights- If you can't put it down gently, it's too heavy for you, bro.
Food and drink other than water- Drink water, fuckers. That's all you need.
Weightlifting sessions longer than 2 hours- Seriously, get a life.
May 15, 2018
(3.5) I think this story has great potential but needs a tiny amount of focus. At first I thought this was a single story but just a FYI this is a series (I think). As a single story its sort of weak but when I think of this as a series it could be really really good. It is a tale of family, violence, and two feuding towns. One town is seemingly normal the other town is off the grid and lives by its own rules. There is a medium size amount of crime including a missing person and a serial killer case long forgotten. We also get recollections of history about the land it self and who lived there. I think Kindt nailed the balance of all these story elements, however its still a lot to juggle and rope into a single story. Its funny I never picked up on the resemblance between Kindt and Lemire's (original work) but this book hits me like a car door. Partly the art is very similar to Lemire's hand (actually a little better sorry Lemire). But over all you could probably fool me into thinking this was a Lemire story with the strong family element and some minor elements of mystery. so yeah I will read volume 2
February 12, 2019
Kindt got Wood's Briggs Land in Lemire's Royal City! Unfortunately without the Reese's Peanut Butter goodness though: this is a pale shadow against brighter works.
On a side note: did you know that as a young man H.B. Reese, creator of the Platonic pure form of peanut butter cup, constructed a pond to raise frogs in so he could sell them to local Baltimore restaurants as a side hustle?
On a side note: did you know that as a young man H.B. Reese, creator of the Platonic pure form of peanut butter cup, constructed a pond to raise frogs in so he could sell them to local Baltimore restaurants as a side hustle?
December 13, 2019
Kindt sa stáva jedným z mojich najobľúbenejších autorov. Jednak sa mi veľmi páči jeho kresba a jeho príbehy, nech sú akokoľvek klišoidné, či už som ich čítala s malými obmenami od iných ľudí, ma stále bavia viac a viac. Plus kresba tu spravila toež dojem, ja vodovky milujem, takže za mňa ako celok skvelé.
September 24, 2022
The Iliad by way of Briggs Land. A community of libertarian radicals has built a government-free backwoods community off the grid. When the neighboring sheriff's wife crawls out of the lake seeking asylum, they're drawn into a county level war.
Loved Jenkins' watercolor illustrations. I liked Kindt's setup, but it lacks the punch and depth of Woods' Briggs Land .
Loved Jenkins' watercolor illustrations. I liked Kindt's setup, but it lacks the punch and depth of Woods' Briggs Land .
July 25, 2018
I liked it. It was a good setup and things were getting pretty interested by the end. Looking forward to the next book. 3 stars.
August 8, 2019
A good beginning from which to spin more tales.
January 19, 2022
Matt Kindt? This is how he writes. The frequency of these statements framed as questions? Basically constant. How I feel about them? Extremely annoyed.
This poor man's Jeff Lemire book is a little scatterbrained and ham-fisted, but I still enjoyed the story and I want to know what comes next, so I guess it's not all that bad.
This poor man's Jeff Lemire book is a little scatterbrained and ham-fisted, but I still enjoyed the story and I want to know what comes next, so I guess it's not all that bad.
February 12, 2020
Paradossalmente, il mio interesse per le graphic novel ha cominciato a crescere con l'avanzare dell'età, mentre uno sarebbe più portato a ritenerle una lettura adatta a gusti giovanili.
In realtà credo di averle persino disprezzate per un po,' finché non ho cominciato a capire il valore e la complessità della sceneggiatura che sta dietro a un lavoro così, tanto quanto la bravura di rendere una storia livello visivo con il problema di conferire uno stile riconoscibile al tratto e al
In questo senso GRASS KINGS è notevole, perchè la mano di Kindt si sbizzarrisce nel corso dell'opera, provando a fornire differenti variazioni sul tema, come tante cover diverse, e cimentandosi ogni volta con uno stile e un'impronta diversa.
Come dire: guardate, sono capace di disegnare così, ma potrei farlo ed essere ugualmente bravo anche con questa grafica fatta in un modo alternativo...
Ma veniamo alla storia rappresentata, una sorta di panoramica collettiva su una comunità indipendente e fortemente armata, orgogliosa di autoamministrarsi e di resistere all'autorità statale (stile Waco, per intenderci).
Mi è piaciuto moltissimo l'alternare passato e presente, all'inizio di ogni capitolo, raccontando il lago e la lunga scia di vite e di morti nelle sue acque e lungo le sue rive.
Il Regno della Prateria è una striscia di terra che è stata a lungo contesa e che è stata luogo di conquista, rovina, accaparramento, fuga, ribellione e libertà.
Al momento il suo re è Robert, il mediano di tre fratelli, che ne ha affidato la sorveglianza e la sicurezza al fratello maggiore Bruce, già sceriffo in una vita precedente. Ma il Regno è illegale, non riconosce leggi e tasse, se non le proprie, ed è anche un'autarchia fragile, in cui riparano persone bisognose di un rifugio o di un nascondiglio.
Quindi basta poco per far franare l'equilibrio che si è creato tra questi disperati e illusi, o addirittura sognatori, a seconda di come li si vuole vedere.
Basta l'arrivo di un'esterna, una donna con una situazione irregolare, peraltro moglie di un grande nemico del Regno, uno sceriffo brutale e vendicativo; basta il ricordo di un serial killer che ha ucciso e non è stato mai punito; bastano dolori mai sopiti e rimpianti, ma anche tradimenti e rimorsi.
Altra cosa molto bella è il muoversi della storia attraverso i vari punti di vista dei personaggi, che aggiungono ciascuno un tassello su misteri e vecchi rancori.
Potremmo vedere questa terra come un grande tappeto usurato, sotto cui per decenni e decenni, gli abitanti hanno nascosto sotto la polvere.
Finché il tappeto si sposta o si solleva, facendo vedere cosa c'era...
GRASS KINGS diventa così una storia corale, che va oltre i tre fratelli, oltre i loro vicini di casa, oltre i confini con Raven, Cargill e il lago nero, oltre i federali che premono per attaccare e riportare ordine e (vera?) legalità, tutto filtrato attraverso un velo di amarezza, colori tenui o spenti, immagini vivide e talora semplicemente cupe, uno scorcio di un'arma, la scena di un'azione, il dolore di un padre che piange sulla foto di una bambina non più ritrovata.
Testi e immagini sono senza fronzoli, schietti, crudi e crudeli se vogliamo, elementi di una struttura che non ha eroi e non ne ha granché bisogno, che e non regali grandi vincitori, limitandosi a narrare, rivelare, descrivere senza giudicare.
Talvolta il lago inghiotte, talvolta restituisce, talvolta risparmia.
Ma resta sempre là, indifferente ai mortali che vivono e patiscono intorno.
Interessante, assolutamente da sfogliare, anche solo per una sbirciata.
In realtà credo di averle persino disprezzate per un po,' finché non ho cominciato a capire il valore e la complessità della sceneggiatura che sta dietro a un lavoro così, tanto quanto la bravura di rendere una storia livello visivo con il problema di conferire uno stile riconoscibile al tratto e al
In questo senso GRASS KINGS è notevole, perchè la mano di Kindt si sbizzarrisce nel corso dell'opera, provando a fornire differenti variazioni sul tema, come tante cover diverse, e cimentandosi ogni volta con uno stile e un'impronta diversa.
Come dire: guardate, sono capace di disegnare così, ma potrei farlo ed essere ugualmente bravo anche con questa grafica fatta in un modo alternativo...
Ma veniamo alla storia rappresentata, una sorta di panoramica collettiva su una comunità indipendente e fortemente armata, orgogliosa di autoamministrarsi e di resistere all'autorità statale (stile Waco, per intenderci).
Mi è piaciuto moltissimo l'alternare passato e presente, all'inizio di ogni capitolo, raccontando il lago e la lunga scia di vite e di morti nelle sue acque e lungo le sue rive.
Il Regno della Prateria è una striscia di terra che è stata a lungo contesa e che è stata luogo di conquista, rovina, accaparramento, fuga, ribellione e libertà.
Al momento il suo re è Robert, il mediano di tre fratelli, che ne ha affidato la sorveglianza e la sicurezza al fratello maggiore Bruce, già sceriffo in una vita precedente. Ma il Regno è illegale, non riconosce leggi e tasse, se non le proprie, ed è anche un'autarchia fragile, in cui riparano persone bisognose di un rifugio o di un nascondiglio.
Quindi basta poco per far franare l'equilibrio che si è creato tra questi disperati e illusi, o addirittura sognatori, a seconda di come li si vuole vedere.
Basta l'arrivo di un'esterna, una donna con una situazione irregolare, peraltro moglie di un grande nemico del Regno, uno sceriffo brutale e vendicativo; basta il ricordo di un serial killer che ha ucciso e non è stato mai punito; bastano dolori mai sopiti e rimpianti, ma anche tradimenti e rimorsi.
Altra cosa molto bella è il muoversi della storia attraverso i vari punti di vista dei personaggi, che aggiungono ciascuno un tassello su misteri e vecchi rancori.
Potremmo vedere questa terra come un grande tappeto usurato, sotto cui per decenni e decenni, gli abitanti hanno nascosto sotto la polvere.
Finché il tappeto si sposta o si solleva, facendo vedere cosa c'era...
GRASS KINGS diventa così una storia corale, che va oltre i tre fratelli, oltre i loro vicini di casa, oltre i confini con Raven, Cargill e il lago nero, oltre i federali che premono per attaccare e riportare ordine e (vera?) legalità, tutto filtrato attraverso un velo di amarezza, colori tenui o spenti, immagini vivide e talora semplicemente cupe, uno scorcio di un'arma, la scena di un'azione, il dolore di un padre che piange sulla foto di una bambina non più ritrovata.
Testi e immagini sono senza fronzoli, schietti, crudi e crudeli se vogliamo, elementi di una struttura che non ha eroi e non ne ha granché bisogno, che e non regali grandi vincitori, limitandosi a narrare, rivelare, descrivere senza giudicare.
Talvolta il lago inghiotte, talvolta restituisce, talvolta risparmia.
Ma resta sempre là, indifferente ai mortali che vivono e patiscono intorno.
Interessante, assolutamente da sfogliare, anche solo per una sbirciata.
October 29, 2020
The people of Grass Kingdom have decided to leave the outside world alone. They have a tightly-knit community where they trust and help each other. Outsiders aren't welcome and are - so far, at least - gently taken beyond city limits. An unexpected guest will bring people from nearby Cargill to their town. The Cargill sheriff and the governor have been looking for a way to crack down on the Grass Kingdom because they believe someone living there killed the missing girl.
October 5, 2017
The Grass Kingdom is a family fiefdom somewhere in rural America, off the grid and peopled by the stubborn, the contrary and the damaged. It exists in uneasy truce with its nearest neighbouring settlement, whose sheriff bears a grudge against the brothers in charge of the Grass Kingdom. Grass Kings is about what happens when a new arrival in the Kingdom causes this grudge to flare up and spiral into conflict, disturbing old mysteries and secrets in the process.
The kind of defiantly independent communities spotlighted in Grass Kings have something of a bad rep in popular culture and the liberal imagination - when they appear at all they're peopled with a stereotypical gallery of cultists, rednecks, and gun-obsessed militiamen. Grass Kings is more sympathetic - politics is hardly mentioned explicitly (to the point where you suspect it's being deliberately avoided) in favour of a more timeless opposition of freedom and authority. That's a political frame in itself of course, but Kindt is more interested in the itches and devils that drive his cast to try and carve out their own space, and in how porous and fragile that space inevitably is.
The result is a comic that feels contemplative, despite its tension and action. The opening of each issue drops back into history - sometimes thousands of years - making it clear that the land exists and endures beyond any claim to own it. And Tyler Jenkins' art, watercoloured, washed-out, full of space, suits this vibe very well and gives Grass Kings a very individual feel. For me, he's weaker at storytelling than mood - when the action is urgent or requires a sense that stakes are high, the style seems a little TOO diffuse and bucolic. But it its quiet determination to be its own thing - whatever that thing eventually turns out to be - this series is as individual as any of its cast.
The kind of defiantly independent communities spotlighted in Grass Kings have something of a bad rep in popular culture and the liberal imagination - when they appear at all they're peopled with a stereotypical gallery of cultists, rednecks, and gun-obsessed militiamen. Grass Kings is more sympathetic - politics is hardly mentioned explicitly (to the point where you suspect it's being deliberately avoided) in favour of a more timeless opposition of freedom and authority. That's a political frame in itself of course, but Kindt is more interested in the itches and devils that drive his cast to try and carve out their own space, and in how porous and fragile that space inevitably is.
The result is a comic that feels contemplative, despite its tension and action. The opening of each issue drops back into history - sometimes thousands of years - making it clear that the land exists and endures beyond any claim to own it. And Tyler Jenkins' art, watercoloured, washed-out, full of space, suits this vibe very well and gives Grass Kings a very individual feel. For me, he's weaker at storytelling than mood - when the action is urgent or requires a sense that stakes are high, the style seems a little TOO diffuse and bucolic. But it its quiet determination to be its own thing - whatever that thing eventually turns out to be - this series is as individual as any of its cast.
September 5, 2018
Funny how it goes - I was given recommendations (through goodreads) from Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples (creators of the outstanding comic series Saga) of what to read while waiting for the next Saga collection to come out. I read Brian's first (Ice Cream Man) and I hated it with a fiery loathing. Then I read Fiona's recommendation (Grass Kings) and loved it with a fiery passion.
First the art and water colours by Tyler Jenkins (did Hilary Jenkins do the water colours?) were so beautiful I was sold just on the art alone. It's not fancy - not clean - but it touched me like good art can. It was perfect for the atmosphere and the setting of the story. I don't know why the art struck me as "Canadian" but it did and lo and behold! Tyler lives in Albert, Canada.
The story was an interesting one. Some people live on a plot of land - people who for different reasons want to live off the grid - and the neighboring town (especially the Sheriff) doesn't like that. And when a woman runs away from the neighboring town it stirs the feud up.
I don't think this story or the characters in it will work for everyone. I can see how some people might dismiss this story as too "odd" but I fell in love with it. After reading such a horrid graphic novel (Ice Cream Man) I was so happy to read one that felt so perfect. Simple, interesting, with interesting characters I want to learn more about.
SO far - 3/4 of the way through 2018 - this is my favourite graphic novel of the year.
First the art and water colours by Tyler Jenkins (did Hilary Jenkins do the water colours?) were so beautiful I was sold just on the art alone. It's not fancy - not clean - but it touched me like good art can. It was perfect for the atmosphere and the setting of the story. I don't know why the art struck me as "Canadian" but it did and lo and behold! Tyler lives in Albert, Canada.
The story was an interesting one. Some people live on a plot of land - people who for different reasons want to live off the grid - and the neighboring town (especially the Sheriff) doesn't like that. And when a woman runs away from the neighboring town it stirs the feud up.
I don't think this story or the characters in it will work for everyone. I can see how some people might dismiss this story as too "odd" but I fell in love with it. After reading such a horrid graphic novel (Ice Cream Man) I was so happy to read one that felt so perfect. Simple, interesting, with interesting characters I want to learn more about.
SO far - 3/4 of the way through 2018 - this is my favourite graphic novel of the year.
February 16, 2018
“For want of a nail the Kingdom was lost”
One man’s fire sets the world ablaze
One man’s fire sets the world ablaze
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