PUNISHER'S COSPLAY and COMICS: MAZEWORLD graphic novel review

Collects THE HANGED MAN, THE DARK MAN and THE HELL MAZE originally published in 2000ad progs 1014-1023, 1101-1110 and 1151-1160

Writer: Alan Grant

Art: Arthur Ranson

Published by Rebellion

Review and pictures (most of them) by Stewart Loud

Described on the cover as “a nightmarish fantasy” that's exactly what this epic tale is. Read this and you'll lose yourself in one of the most original story lines ever to be published in the pages of long running British comic 2000ad. Mazeworld is the kind of setting I imagine you'd end up with if Studio Gibli made a movie that was a cross between Lord Of The Rings and the old Another World computer game on the PC. Dark, frightening, violent and relentlessly inventive from start to finish, Mazeworld is second only to Pat Mills', Requiem: Vampire Knight in terms of how unique it is.

The book begins with the British authorities carrying out the first hanging in 20 years. The death penalty is due to be brought back in an effort to curb the countries out of control crime rate and the first contender for the experimental execution is brother stabbing space waster, Adam Cadman, a no hope nobody, selected not only because of his terrible crime but because he wouldn't be missed. As the floor drops away from his feet and the rope tightens around his neck, Adam's life flashes briefly before his eyes before he awakens lying on the ground in the completely alien realm of Mazeworld.

Is this reality or is it just some sort of mental, near death hallucination? Still with his arms bound and wearing his execution garb complete with hood and noose (which cannot be removed) Adam is instantly flung into a story of oppression and rebellion in a world where it seems he may be able to find some sort of redemption for his past sins. The indigenous peoples all think he's their legendary hero, The Hooded One, returned after a long absence and he is quickly taken in by the underground resistance to the oppressive ruling mincers known as the Maze Lords.

Originally printed between 1996 and 1999 This is an incredibly well put together old school fantasy. There's soldiers riding dragons, massive battles, horrible monsters, weird magician types and hordes of orc-like creatures but the setting really is like nothing I've ever read before. Every page that reveals more about the massive labyrinth that is Mazeworld just made me want to find out more about it.

One of the things I like about Adam's character is that he really does start out as a complete twat. Repeatedly he attempts to betray and ditch the people who help him but every time he does, the noose around his neck begins to tighten and he feels himself being drawn back to the gallows so he ends up having to do the right thing whether he likes it or not. This adds a new twist to the whole reluctant hero thing you see so much in fiction.

Just as rich as the story is Arthur Ranson's super detailed artwork. All the characters and creatures look brilliant as well as all the landscapes and incredibly detailed architecture. He's created an amazing array of cities, mazes and structures, all drawn to a very high technical standard that look like they draw on influences from ancient Egyptian, Tibetan and Mayan temples. The battles all look realistically confusing as well with dozens of people per panel all tangled up with each other in a frenzy of slicing and stabbing. Just look at some of the pictures I added!

I absolutely love this story and I can't recommend it enough if you're looking for something truly different from mainstream comics. If you only usually read publications from Marvel or DC then this'll blow you away and the ending is fucking brilliant!

SCORE 9/10