Its the most anticipated number four in comics history, so forgive the hyperbole.
In the right corner, from Topeka, Kansas, the cult that gives cults a bad name. Ladies and gentlemen, the most hated group in America, the Westboro Baptist Church!
To the left, from New York City, accompanied by their mascot, Teddy Mercury, they are the punk rockers cursed to walk the Earth as zombies whenever their music is played. Ladies and Gentlemen, Toe Tag Riot!
Who wins? Who dies? You’ll have to read to find out. Is it any good? Click to find out.
After eating their way through skinheads, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and dudebros, Toe Tag Riot (along with Andy Hurley from Fallout Boy) have arrived in Topeka, KS to play a special concert outside the Westboro Baptist Church compound. What follows is a humorous bloodbath with WBC leader being hunted down by Toe Tag Riot’s band leader Dickie.
Created by “insincere pervs” Matt Miner and Sean Von Gorman, Toe Tag Riot made a splash last summer on Kickstarter by telling the story of a band cursed to turn into zombies whenever their music is played. Rather then eating random people, the members of Toe Tag Riot decide to make the world a better place by eating what my grandma call, “the scum of the Earth.” It doesn’t come any scummier then the Westboro Baptist Church.
For those that don’t know, the Westboro Baptist Church is a “church” (I use quotes so as not to not insult churches) run by the Phelps family that preaches, “God Hates Fags.” They are so low they protest the funerals of fallen soldiers and victims of tragedy. It’s very hard to come up with a death that is both humorous and satisfying for the human waste that is the WBC. But, Miner and Von Gorman make a good effort.
Matt Miner scripts the “glorious butchering of Westboro Baptist Church” like a classic western showdown. The Phelps family are portrayed as the caricatures they are and the first two pages ramp up your anticipation for the slaughter. Whether Miner goes far enough is up to the reader. What he does do is add a clever twist that sets up a sequel and gives the band a super-villain to hound their every move.
Von Gorman’s art style is a perfect fit. It strikes a balances between humor and schlock that puts a smile on your face and revolts you at the same time. I like the ghoulish facial expressions he gives the band once they turn into zombie mode. His use of watercolors gives the bloodbaths a liquidy grindhouse feel. I also like how he makes Fred Phelps look like a ghoul.
Matt Miner compared Toe Tag Riot to a video game. Each issue is another level until you reach the boss. Issue 4 is “the boss” issue and it’s a lot of fun. A must read for fans of GWAR, Adult Swim, and social commentary. Do yourself a favor and pick up two copies. You can send the other to the Westboro Baptist Church.
Toe Tag Riot # 4 is on sale Wednesday, April 15th.
Todd Matthy.com 