I reviewed Larry Johnson's Tales of the Broken B in early December (after publisher Jim Main recommended it). As Bizarrechats readers know, I became enthralled by Johnson's weird, episodic western, enough that I grew curious about his other endeavors. After watching the latest Reviewing Small Press Comics (hosted by Steve Keeter and Larned Justin), I decided to make Johnson's Horseman my next-in-line.
Horseman is, to say the least, amazing, combining components of Doctor Strange, Doctor Fate and Doom Patrol, with a steady stream of Homer's The Odyssey, John Boorman's Zardoz and general, Native American lore, while rendered in a stylish pantomime that would make the great Marcel Marceau bow with respect. On the other hand, my florid description doesn't do Johnson's contribution anywhere near the justice it deserves. Horseman is that unique.
Horseman is, per his unpretentious label, an anthropomorphic entity, a humanoid with a horse's head, who for modesty's sake, wears white skivvies (though with evident room for a protruding tail). Is he Earth-grown or of alien emanation? Is his terrain of the past or future? Parts of the saga imply the terrestrial here-and-now, but regardless of Horseman's origin or the landscapes he roams, his nomadic mythology triumphs all onto itself.
Along Horseman's psychedelic paths, he encounters a goat-headed counterpart; equestrian wolf men; amphibian men; hovering fish; a haunted graveyard; an octopus guide; a voracious spider; and skeleton scientists and their fiery, Frankenstein-ish apparitions. At one point, Horseman is swallowed by a giant anglerfish and mystically escapes by emerging from a chicken egg. At other points, he's visited by insects, elephants and a Pteranodon, and more by accident than plan, manifests from a children's book to embark on yet another twisted trail. Yes, it's all quite bizarre, but that's what makes Horseman so addictive.
My favorite segment occurs in Issue #4, when a wolf man flaunts a grandmother persona, in homage to Little Red Riding Hood. Also, there's substantial food for thought in Johnson's recurring, lupine motif, as it often places the titular lead in a Brothers Grimm context.
At present, Horseman consists of five, color issues, with a sixth in development. To embellish the existing exploits, Johnson offers an impressive companion piece, Encounter: The Birth of Horseman.
This 160-page volume features Johnson's black-and-white illustrations, which influenced the character's progression. From an artistic standpoint, Encounter is as captivating as the individual comics, and for anyone who gets hooked on Horseman (and how can one not?), the curation will act as an appreciated appendage.
For their innovative pizzazz, the Horseman entries are worth the indulgence. Please feel free to email Johnson on the issues' prices (individually or combined) at LewBrown1@verizon.net.
And for those who desire a steady spree of Johnson's color, Horseman imagery, check out his fantastic, YouTube channel at
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH2qnSaWeyd_N4_HkP9kUfmGcLHhsdoVa
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