Sweet Tooth #18
Written & Illustrated by Jeff Lemire
Colored by Jose Villarrubia
Lettered by Pat Brosseau
Published by DC/Vertigo
First, an admission: I hate landscape-format comics. Abhor ‘em. They’re particularly galling for readers, like me, who trade-wait, because the book’s flow is interrupted by the sideways format of one chapter. It’s also a somewhat awkward way to hold a comic.
With that said, however, sideways, upside-down or any other way, Sweet Tooth #18 remains a fun and sweet (with a dash of scary!) comic. The latest installment matches the earliest chapters by being heavy on mood, particularly melancholy, sweetness and chipped-edge innocence, but a light on plot. Following recent events, the series’ cast prepares for a long journey (involving one particularly serious moment defused by Gus), and gets a surprising moment of relaxation and, dare it exist, yes, fun!
Lemire provides an interesting stylistic exercise, mixing traditional comic book storytelling with something closer to a children’s book style, text with accompanying images. The effect suits the issue’s tone nicely, and Lemire’s simple prose captures the innocence of the kids as they prepare for the next phase of their lives. A year and a half into Gus’s journey, Sweet Tooth remains an interesting comic.
