The Leg
Top Shelf
Dec 15, 2014
Web Exclusive
A century after his death, Antonio López de Santa Anna’s severed leg once again answers the call to defend Mexico from nefarious foreign opposition. The reanimated limb sets off on a quest for vengeance after its friend is killed, and during its crusade, befriends a lonely girl and unearths a plot to assassinate the Mexican president.
Van Jensen’s story—with illustrations by Jose Pimienta—is uniquely imaginative and fantastical, mixing mythical with mystical and fact with fiction into a one-of-a-kind story of redemption and revenge. Unfortunately, the narrative also happens to be somewhat disjointed, which is perhaps forgivable considering the bizarre setup. Despite its uncontested originality, The Leg doesn’t realize its full potential, missing opportunities to explore Mexico’s conflicted feelings about Santa Anna, as well as the disembodied leg’s sense of identity. Everyone seems to accept a living leg can hop around on its own, which slightly undermines the fun. Jensen and Pimienta’s graphic novel is as unusual as it is innovative, but like the ghost of Santa Anna, doesn’t appear fully formed. (www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/the-leg/894)
Author rating: 6/10
Current Issue
Issue #72
Apr 19, 2024 Issue #72 - The ‘90s Issue with The Cardigans and Thurston Moore
Most Recent
- Under the Radar Announces The ’90s Issue with The Cardigans and Thurston Moore on the Covers (News) — The Cardigans, Thurston Moore, Sonic Youth, Garbage, The Cranberries, Pavement, Lisa Loeb, Supergrass, Spiritualized, Lush, Miki Berenyi, Miki Berenyi Trio, Emma Anderson, Hatchie, Ride, Slowdive, Velocity Girl, Penelope Spheeris, Terry Gilliam, Gus Van Sant, Ron Underwood, Kula Shaker, Salad, Foals, Semisonic, The Boo Radleys, Stereo MC’s, Pale Saints, Blonde Redhead, Sleater-Kinney, Cocteau Twins, Lucy Dacus, Alex Lahey, Horsegirl, Grandaddy, alt-J, Squid, The Natvral, Wolf Alice, Jess Williamson, Sunflower Bean, Orville Peck, Joel McHale
- Challengers (Review) —
- Premiere: Eric Schroeder Shares New Track “The Kind of Wound That Never Heals” (News) — Eric Schroeder
- Thurston Moore Shares New Song “Rewilding” (News) — Thurston Moore, Sonic Youth
- Thom Yorke Confirms “Confidenza” Soundtrack, Shares New Songs “Knife Edge” and “Prize Giving” (News) — Thom Yorke, Radiohead, The Smile
Comments
Submit your comment
There are no comments for this entry yet.