Comic books got their name early in the 20th Century because they began as collections of comic strips. They were funny, whimsical, comical. However, with the introduction of characters like The Shadow, Superman, Flash Gordon and Captain America, comic books began to take on new roles and address new issues. These issues have varied from warfare, mob violence, crime, drug abuse, murder, racism, political indifference, extraterrestrial invasions and much more. Today comic books are far less comical. While characters like Archie and Bugs Bunny still exist, far more common are mutants like Wolverine and dark vigilantes like The Punisher. There are comic books that focus on teaching kids moral values, heroism and equality. Many, however, are geared toward adult audiences with their gritty nature, hard language and graphic violence. Among the ranks of the grittier characters is a vigilante known as "The Fall".
Published by PLB Comics, The Fall is a character that seeks out those who cause harm to others, such as drug dealers, murders, occultists and the like. He brandishes his own style of justice. He is mysterious, elusive and strikes fear into the hearts of those who are determined to do wrong or who bring harm others. He is a cross between Wildstorm's Grifter and Marvel's Punisher. He brings an edge and a darkness to justice without mercy.
I have never been a fan of these type of characters. However, the artwork which PLB brings to there comics is undeniably great. Mat and Josh Shockley, the owners of PLB, enhance the darkness of the character and his story by leaving the book in a black and white format. The artwork (contributed by Russell Walton, Jim McMunn, Nathan Thomas Milliner, Brad Hudson and Larry Crew, Jr.)is fabulous and clean. Unlike a Bill Sienkiewicz who could bring a gritty edge even to Superman, the guys at PLB Comics do the opposite. By maintaining a clean, crisp look to their art and keeping the flow of the story solid, they have been able to establish the fierceness of the character to the point that even the reader feels intimidated by him. Good art is a challenge and the guys at PLB comics have conquered it.
As a warning to all readers, though. The Fall, along with other comics that PLB prints, is full of hard language, adult subjects and scenes that are not appropriate for younger readers. If you do not like this type of comic then this is not the book for you. However, if you enjoy the grittiness of both story and character, then The Fall is your guy. He makes the Punisher look like a big baby!
