Future fun and fisticuffs: Carlos Javier Olivares discusses the wonderful and weird ‘Junk Punch’ – AIPT
From time to time, a comic comes a long that you know will be truly great long before word one.
Junk Punch just such a book.
Admittedly, my love for this new Mad Cave Studios title initially centered on the title alone (which I attest to be the best in at least a decade if not much longer). Then, my admiration only grew when I realized it was another book by Paul Tobin and Carlos Javier Olivares, who made the generally affective String. But once I actually got into Junk Punch (where the duo are joined by colorist Francesca Vivaldi and letterer Taylor Esposito), it too socked me right where it most hurts — squarely in my head and heart.
In Junk Punch, we meet Clara Castanelle, who lives in a world where “new compulsions have arisen to afflict individuals in bizarre ways.” As the title suggests, Clara’s compulsion means she can’t stop KO-ing folks’ nether regions, which she then uses to “solve a bizarre series of thefts, such as kisses stolen from willing and waiting lips.”
And, again, if all you wanted to take away from Junk Punch was the insanity and absurdity, there’s volumes of that to go around. But beyond the neon-colored, near-future hijinks lies something of real depth. A title with this intensely charming lead; oddly resonant themes about being yourself; and attitude and joy to spare. It is, as Mad Cave put it, “entertainment with IMPACT!”
Junk Punch #1 is due out this week (June 3). Ahead of this first blow, we caught up with Olivares earlier this week via email. There, we discussed his collaborations with Tobin, the book’s identity and influences, why Clara works as such a compelling protagonist, balancing the many threads and ideas in this story, and even a possible “Junk Punch-verse,” among other topics and tidbits.
… Click link for interview …
1 user thanked author for this post.