American Psycho #1 is an interesting comic. It’s one I can’t tell what it’s trying to do. Is it just an extension of the original story along with a new story? Or, is it commentary about consumerism and pop culture, like it’s own version of Patrick Bateman’s rants about Huey Lewis and the News. It’s not easy figuring that out after one single issue.
The debut issue features two stories, one set during the time of the original book/film (I’ve only seen the film) and another more modern tale set in 2011.
For the first half, we’re introduced to a new character who delivers a new perspective. Patrick Bateman’s killing spree is just happening and we get to see it all from the new character’s eyes. It’s “new revelations” from the world of American Psycho and I’m not sure if seeing it from a “whole new lens” really adds much… yet. For those who dive in, things might feel a bit off with the new character, like maybe it’s all in Patrick’s head or something but nope, it’s a new psycho with his own issues and then it connects to the original.
So far, it doesn’t really add anything to that story other than New York had a lot of psychos in the 80s. There might be something more profound but it hasn’t delivered that yet.
The second story introduces a new psychopath based in 2011. With the beginning of social media, it should be interesting to see where it all goes but the setup feels more Scream than American Psycho. Like the other story, it’s hard to tell if this will really “say” anything or just be another body count. There’s also an oddity about Patrick Bateman’s killing spree being called “infamous” and it not being brought up in the second story. There really hasn’t been a chance to organically yet, but if one doesn’t mention the other, then it throws a whole lot of questions into the mix.
Writer Michael Calero has a difficult task ahead and I’m intrigued to see where it all goes but the start feels more like the property’s name is slapped on than a real deep dive as to what made the original work. It’s hard to do in one comic since the original material is actually a slow psychotic build. Maybe as a collection or if it were a graphic novel it’d read a bit better. We’ll have to wait and see as releases come out.
The art by Piotr Kowalski is good. It hits the beats and there’s some interesting details thrown in but overall the look is rather generic. It never quite embraces 80s or even 10s New York City. Nothing in the art really stands out to me about the time at all. It’s not bad, it just lacks a personality. Kowalski is joined on color by Brad Simpson and lettering by Micah Myers. Myers lettering does stand out as the narrative is mostly in a journal of the new psycho and there’s something about the lettering that gives us insight into who this person is. It’s both controlled and off at the same time.
American Psycho #1 isn’t a bad comic but it just doesn’t deliver the same witty commentary of its source material. It’s just the first issue though and this is likely going to be a miniseries that’ll have to be judged on the whole and not individual parts.
Story: Michael Calero Art: Piotr Kowalski
Color: Brad Simpson Letterer: Micah Myers
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read
Sumerian provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics
Source: Graphic Policy
