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Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body
Regarding the Matter of Oswald's Body
Halt and Catch Fire co-creator Christopher Cantwell and artist Luca Casalanguida answer the question of “Where is Lee Harvey Oswald’s body?” in this brand-new conspiracy crime thriller!
Where is Lee Harvey Oswald’s body? The Kennedy assassination is a rat’s nest of conspiracy theories: mafia involvement, the second gunman, government cover-up… but the most important one may just be the theory that the body in Oswald’s grave is not actually Lee Harvey. Meet the ragtag group of “useful idiots,” unwittingly brought together to clean up the crime of the century – a wannabe cowboy from Wisconsin, a Buddy Holly-idolizing (former) car thief, a world-weary Civil Rights activist ready for revolution, and a failed G-Man who still acts the part – and specifically, regarding the matter of Oswald’s body. Eisner Award-nominated writer, producer, and director Christopher Cantwell (Iron Man, The United States of Captain America) and artist Luca Casalanguida (Lost Soldiers, Scout’s Honor) deliver an off-kilter crime thriller set in the shadows of history’s greatest conspiracy. Collecting REGARDING THE MATTER OF OSWALD’S BODY #1-5.
Where is Lee Harvey Oswald’s body? The Kennedy assassination is a rat’s nest of conspiracy theories: mafia involvement, the second gunman, government cover-up… but the most important one may just be the theory that the body in Oswald’s grave is not actually Lee Harvey. Meet the ragtag group of “useful idiots,” unwittingly brought together to clean up the crime of the century – a wannabe cowboy from Wisconsin, a Buddy Holly-idolizing (former) car thief, a world-weary Civil Rights activist ready for revolution, and a failed G-Man who still acts the part – and specifically, regarding the matter of Oswald’s body. Eisner Award-nominated writer, producer, and director Christopher Cantwell (Iron Man, The United States of Captain America) and artist Luca Casalanguida (Lost Soldiers, Scout’s Honor) deliver an off-kilter crime thriller set in the shadows of history’s greatest conspiracy. Collecting REGARDING THE MATTER OF OSWALD’S BODY #1-5.
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2022
3 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 6, 2023
I just read this first volume of a comics series, and quickly, because I have been reading this past year these big books about the killing of JFK and the title caught my eye. Yeah, I like that title! I expected it to be trashy/satirical and I could then write a bemused dismissal review. But that's what you'd expect with a title and premise such as this. So what if it doesn't suck!?
And I have been reading James Tynion's crazy hysterical horror send-up of conspiracy theories, Department of Truth and am liking it. This series is in some ways in the same conversation as Tynion's series, with a Texas drawl, and some flat-out saed-off shotgun violence and so,me stereotypical Texas rednecks, natch. This volume is just the introduction to the series, to the basic wacky concept and to some central characters who are gonna get involved in this guvamint cover-up--a wannabe cowboy from Wisconsin in a ten (or maybe fourteen) gallon hat, a Buddy Holly-idolizing musician without talent, an angry Civil Rights activist who is specifically angry that JFK is dead, and a former G-Man who actually has leftie leanings. The single conspiracy theory being advanced here is that the body in Oswald's Dallas grave ain't Oswald's, pardner. He's missing his ring in there. So, body swap, (for no obvious reason yet).
So I am not sure yet why I should care about this band of misfits, or about Oswald's body, either, for that matter. But the gift of low expectations makes it possible that things sometimes don't suck as much as you thought they would, and here I am, somewhat amused. I'll peek at the next one.
And I have been reading James Tynion's crazy hysterical horror send-up of conspiracy theories, Department of Truth and am liking it. This series is in some ways in the same conversation as Tynion's series, with a Texas drawl, and some flat-out saed-off shotgun violence and so,me stereotypical Texas rednecks, natch. This volume is just the introduction to the series, to the basic wacky concept and to some central characters who are gonna get involved in this guvamint cover-up--a wannabe cowboy from Wisconsin in a ten (or maybe fourteen) gallon hat, a Buddy Holly-idolizing musician without talent, an angry Civil Rights activist who is specifically angry that JFK is dead, and a former G-Man who actually has leftie leanings. The single conspiracy theory being advanced here is that the body in Oswald's Dallas grave ain't Oswald's, pardner. He's missing his ring in there. So, body swap, (for no obvious reason yet).
So I am not sure yet why I should care about this band of misfits, or about Oswald's body, either, for that matter. But the gift of low expectations makes it possible that things sometimes don't suck as much as you thought they would, and here I am, somewhat amused. I'll peek at the next one.
April 4, 2022
The complete lack of a 'why' makes all the team building and convoluted plotting a pointless waste of time.
February 21, 2023
In the vein of Department of Truth, we get a "the conspiracy was REAL!!" rendition of the Kennedy assassination. A mysterious government agent is pulling the strings and needs a group of nobodies to keep the pawns in line. The nobodies are expendable (which takes them some time to acknowledge), but generally interesting. The setup here is much better than the payoff, which is essentially a shrug, even though it's action-packed.
I enjoyed the art and Regarding the Matter of Oswald's Body is certainly a lively read, it just doesn't seem to be adding much to the wide range of Kennedy conspiracy thrillers out there.
I enjoyed the art and Regarding the Matter of Oswald's Body is certainly a lively read, it just doesn't seem to be adding much to the wide range of Kennedy conspiracy thrillers out there.
October 10, 2023
Ég hef séð allskonar JFK samsæriskenningar í gegnum tíðina. Fáar eru jafn langsóttar og óspennandi og þessi. Þessi hunsar mjög fræga línu Oswald um að hann hafi verið blóraböggull. Sú lína er auðvitað uppruni margra samsæriskenninga en núllar alveg þá kenningu sem er í þessari sögu
Og ef einhver er í vafa þá er ég nokkuð viss um að Oswald var einn að verki.
Og ef einhver er í vafa þá er ég nokkuð viss um að Oswald var einn að verki.
June 4, 2025
Interesting story / conspiracy but did leave the readers with a few questions which was not really my cup of tea. The writing and art was great though.
October 12, 2022
Great story, great characters, told in a brilliant way.
December 2, 2022
This will make a great movie...Oliver Stone should do it.
January 19, 2024
“The world will not change because of all this. Except maybe now it’s gonna get a little worse, or just get worse a little faster.” ~ Yellow Rose, Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body
Alternate history is my jam. Position your alternate history tale amidst the political and societal turmoil of the 60s and JFK’s assassination, and you have got it easy since most historians have not even truly gotten to the bottom of it in the decades since. I have an acquaintance through the library world that tells me after reviewing dossier and dossier of documentation and primary sources on the assassination, Lee Harvey Oswald, the CIA’s role, it reads like peeling an onion…layer after layer….
In this environment, Christopher Cantwell takes readers straight into a heist propagated by the CIA(or is it?): A gaggle of four misfits must smuggle a “shot” Lee Harvey Oswald out of police custody and replace him with a similarly visaged “nobody”. Sounds simple right? Of course, it IS still Texas though, and the blackmailed foursome must be an eccentric lot. They include a Wisconsinite-turned-Texan bank robber who happens to be really good at not getting caught, a country music wannabe [reformed] car thief, a weary civil rights activist with a knack for forgery, and a failed G-man. What could possibly go wrong?
Altogether, Cantwell puts together a very well-paced story. Everyone feels like they have a solid character arc, fair page-time, and even some depth beyond their cliché descriptions from above. Throughout the whole story, he never really lets you forget they’re all cogs in a much larger wheel. The inclusion of little excerpts from various fictional sources, such as maps, notes on the assassination, does give readers a reminder of the broader implications, but his inclusion of notes on specters and ghostly appearances in the first chapter seemed out of place and never had any kind of payout (at least for me).
On the visual side, Luca Casalanguida and Giada Marchisio combine their artful powers excellently. Characters are easily identifiable, and the gritty tones to the former’s pencilwork really drive home that heist-thriller feeling. It doesn’t necessarily standout every page, but it is a job well-done.
Altogether, Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body would make a solid addition to the library of an alternate history fan or fans of those 70s-80s heist movies you used to see on TV when you stayed up too late. That being said, I was left wondering “What was the point?” when the last page turned. As with most conspiracy theories, there is at least an inkling of “Why go to all that effort?” Is that Cantrell’s storytelling, or is that just my blind belief talking? I’ll let the reader decide.
Alternate history is my jam. Position your alternate history tale amidst the political and societal turmoil of the 60s and JFK’s assassination, and you have got it easy since most historians have not even truly gotten to the bottom of it in the decades since. I have an acquaintance through the library world that tells me after reviewing dossier and dossier of documentation and primary sources on the assassination, Lee Harvey Oswald, the CIA’s role, it reads like peeling an onion…layer after layer….
In this environment, Christopher Cantwell takes readers straight into a heist propagated by the CIA(or is it?): A gaggle of four misfits must smuggle a “shot” Lee Harvey Oswald out of police custody and replace him with a similarly visaged “nobody”. Sounds simple right? Of course, it IS still Texas though, and the blackmailed foursome must be an eccentric lot. They include a Wisconsinite-turned-Texan bank robber who happens to be really good at not getting caught, a country music wannabe [reformed] car thief, a weary civil rights activist with a knack for forgery, and a failed G-man. What could possibly go wrong?
Altogether, Cantwell puts together a very well-paced story. Everyone feels like they have a solid character arc, fair page-time, and even some depth beyond their cliché descriptions from above. Throughout the whole story, he never really lets you forget they’re all cogs in a much larger wheel. The inclusion of little excerpts from various fictional sources, such as maps, notes on the assassination, does give readers a reminder of the broader implications, but his inclusion of notes on specters and ghostly appearances in the first chapter seemed out of place and never had any kind of payout (at least for me).
On the visual side, Luca Casalanguida and Giada Marchisio combine their artful powers excellently. Characters are easily identifiable, and the gritty tones to the former’s pencilwork really drive home that heist-thriller feeling. It doesn’t necessarily standout every page, but it is a job well-done.
Altogether, Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body would make a solid addition to the library of an alternate history fan or fans of those 70s-80s heist movies you used to see on TV when you stayed up too late. That being said, I was left wondering “What was the point?” when the last page turned. As with most conspiracy theories, there is at least an inkling of “Why go to all that effort?” Is that Cantrell’s storytelling, or is that just my blind belief talking? I’ll let the reader decide.
February 10, 2025
(4,2 of 5 for nice "what if" conspiracy crime thriller)
I wasn't sure what to expect of the topic, art and the story itself. The name gives a bit away, but not much. But Eventually I got into it that much so I finished it in one go. The art is absolutely fitting, the story goes in classic underdog "heist" mode and it all works beautifully. I can easily compare it to the Criminal, that is the first thing which comes into my mind. But also thanks to that, I can again see why Criminal is so superb because in comparison this comic is just a lite version, less gritty, less dark and less depressing (in a good way, because some themes with good storybuilding should make the reader uneasy). The end is quite good and satisfying as ending in a world of crime can be without being silly. Cantwell didn't manage to make me sympathetic to the characters, which Criminal could for underdogs and even the shady ones. And that took a little bit off the edge.
Overall, I really liked it, but it hasn't that extra "cinema" which would make me come back to it again in some distant future.
I wasn't sure what to expect of the topic, art and the story itself. The name gives a bit away, but not much. But Eventually I got into it that much so I finished it in one go. The art is absolutely fitting, the story goes in classic underdog "heist" mode and it all works beautifully. I can easily compare it to the Criminal, that is the first thing which comes into my mind. But also thanks to that, I can again see why Criminal is so superb because in comparison this comic is just a lite version, less gritty, less dark and less depressing (in a good way, because some themes with good storybuilding should make the reader uneasy). The end is quite good and satisfying as ending in a world of crime can be without being silly. Cantwell didn't manage to make me sympathetic to the characters, which Criminal could for underdogs and even the shady ones. And that took a little bit off the edge.
Overall, I really liked it, but it hasn't that extra "cinema" which would make me come back to it again in some distant future.
May 16, 2023
Everyone has a theory about JFK's assassination. This is one about Lee Harvey Oswald...and it's wild.
A twisty, creative, multi-layered perspective on Oswald's role. It brings a whole new level of conspiracy to the ultimate conspiracy theory about Oswald.
Strong dialogue, effective art, and a heckuva fun story.
A twisty, creative, multi-layered perspective on Oswald's role. It brings a whole new level of conspiracy to the ultimate conspiracy theory about Oswald.
Strong dialogue, effective art, and a heckuva fun story.
September 27, 2022
Felt like this book didn’t give space to breath with all the dialogue. The rumor is it wasn’t Oswald’s body buried in that casket because he’s missing his ring. There was a plot to swap out the body with a double. But why, there’s no follow through with the backstory of it all or any hints. Just following the nobodies who were about or the job.
January 21, 2023
A fairly basic Kennedy assassination yarn, but the art by Casalanguida and Marchisio, heavy on cinematic angles, chiaroscuro shadows and bold, bloody action makes up for the predictable conspiracy beats
May 25, 2025
05/24/2025
Shep :’)
11/11/2021
I expected to enjoy this in a potato-chip, trashy way, but oh my god I LOVED this
Shep :’)
11/11/2021
I expected to enjoy this in a potato-chip, trashy way, but oh my god I LOVED this
April 19, 2022
Quite a lot of fun and beautifully stylized.
May 13, 2024
It might be hard to remember in our current atmosphere of non-stop conspiracy theories, but prior to 2016 two were two big conspiracy theories. One was that the moon landing was fake. The other was a rat's nest about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This graphic novel seemingly tries to bring together several of the JFK assassination theories into a single plot. Unfortunately, the reader is left looking for any sort of motive or other "why" behind all the fuss.
With the lack of motive, this story is just another story with a cast of wannabe colorful characters. What makes conspiracy theories interesting is not just their mechanics but the motivation behind the theorists. This books winds up being just "sound and fury, signifying nothing."
The entire fourth issue also falls prey to a humorous presentation trope popularized by shows like Law & Order. One character essentially monologues throughout the entire issue. But the scene keeps changing between pages. Which makes no sense that the character would walk to a different location and just start talking where they left off at the previous location. I understand the write and illustrator didn't want a static scene of the characters all just sitting around the same room for the majority of the issue. But this presentation always cracks me up, which totally undercuts the supposed drama playing out across the pages.
The JFK assassination has also already been addressed ad nauseam in popular culture. Any new work needs to bring something unique to be interesting. Regarding the Matter of Oswald's Body fails to find much of anything to bring, let alone anything unique.
With the lack of motive, this story is just another story with a cast of wannabe colorful characters. What makes conspiracy theories interesting is not just their mechanics but the motivation behind the theorists. This books winds up being just "sound and fury, signifying nothing."
The entire fourth issue also falls prey to a humorous presentation trope popularized by shows like Law & Order. One character essentially monologues throughout the entire issue. But the scene keeps changing between pages. Which makes no sense that the character would walk to a different location and just start talking where they left off at the previous location. I understand the write and illustrator didn't want a static scene of the characters all just sitting around the same room for the majority of the issue. But this presentation always cracks me up, which totally undercuts the supposed drama playing out across the pages.
The JFK assassination has also already been addressed ad nauseam in popular culture. Any new work needs to bring something unique to be interesting. Regarding the Matter of Oswald's Body fails to find much of anything to bring, let alone anything unique.
May 30, 2024
I enjoy Cantwell's comics and Luca Caslanguida did a great job of evoking what I used to call the "Vertigo House Style" back when that line was regularly producing stories. It works well for this conspiracy story circling around the killing of JFK, keeping to tight looks and not trying to overdo the style by forcing angles or other touches.
That puts the focus squarely on the story which was good -until it couldn't stick the landing. This one just peters out and that almost knocked it down to a 2, but I liked it well enough before that to keep it at three.
That puts the focus squarely on the story which was good -until it couldn't stick the landing. This one just peters out and that almost knocked it down to a 2, but I liked it well enough before that to keep it at three.
August 1, 2023
Bien dibujada y competentemente narrada, es la historia de una elaborada conspiración para sustituir a Oswald por el cadaver de un doble despues de que participara en el magnicidio de Dallas. Sigue la lógica de una historia noir en la que un grupo de perdedores con distintas habilidades son reclutados para un «golpe». se mantiene dentro de las convenciones hasta el final y le resta una estrella la falta absoluta de motivación o explicación de porqué y cómo.
February 17, 2024
This was a weird and ultimately pointless little story. The sub-conspiracy that these four losers are hired on for doesn't even make sense--find a body to match Lee Harvey Oswald's so that the real Oswald can escape (only to be presumably killed and disposed of later)? That just doesn't work--there's no clear reason for Oswald to escape. So, you've got a weird conspiracy with four rather undeveloped characters that doesn't really go anywhere. The art's not terrible, but this story kinda is.
March 18, 2024
“Regarding Oswald’s Body” is a gripping story about the death of Lee Harvey Oswald’s and the conspiracy that surround the assassination of JFK. Overall the story was thrilling and mysterious. I enjoyed the dialogue and the interwoven aspects of historical facts and conspiracy theory.
“Regarding Oswald’s Body” is a fun read for JFK and conspiracy theory buffs. The art work was detailed and captured the tensions in the story.
“Regarding Oswald’s Body” is a fun read for JFK and conspiracy theory buffs. The art work was detailed and captured the tensions in the story.
June 24, 2023
En los 60, un grupo de perdedores son reclutados para una misión secreta bastante turbia, que acaba teniendo relación con el asesinato de Kennedy. Una versión de lo ocurrido que se ajusta a las versiones más conspiranoicas sobre Oswald.
El dibujo es parecido al de Sean Phillips en "Criminal".
Recomendable para pasar el rato
El dibujo es parecido al de Sean Phillips en "Criminal".
Recomendable para pasar el rato
December 21, 2024
Plays fast and loose with the "facts", but that's down to my knowledge of the subject matter rather than the writer's recklessness. There is a significant "But why?" in all of this that just never really gets cleared up.
On the other hand, there is just the most magnificent joke/setpiece in the fourth chapter - wonderfully setting up the reader for a perfectly executed (sic) punchline.
On the other hand, there is just the most magnificent joke/setpiece in the fourth chapter - wonderfully setting up the reader for a perfectly executed (sic) punchline.
April 17, 2023
Oliver Stone did it better with JFK. At least he gave you a reason for why it happened. This started off strong with recruiting these patsies. But then it just devolved into a shootout without any kind of answers. I could have done that myself. It just shows a lack of story.
November 12, 2022
A lot of setup with very little payoff.
March 29, 2025
We all know Joe Dimaggio had JFK killed.
November 17, 2025
i really like how we feel in the dark about what's actually happening, just like if we were another member of the team.
February 27, 2024
This was a strange and twisty little book. I wonder if there will be more to follow. It is not 100% necessary. It could end where it is, but something tells me there are more tales to tell.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews