REVIEW: Tony Sandoval - "Doomboy"

Diamond Book Distributors, 2014. 136pp

Sometimes music is the only thing that helps you get through the day. For D, the longhaired metal kid from Tony Sandoval's Doomboy, music is the outlet to vent his emotions. All his anger and despair over the death of his girlfriend pours out from his guitar as the wind howls and the waves crash onto his sordid existence. Put on some Omega Massif and start reading. 

While at the core a slice-of-life story, Doomboy's real talent lies in the vivid descriptions of D's guitar sessions: Sandoval's gritty drawings make place for beautifully rendered vikings and etherial swirls of wind and dust. There are envious ex-bandmembers, girls selling stars, the Green Room of Doom, gay Doom guys, vomit and beer: What more could you want? 

Sandoval's style is somewhat unique: He doesn't strive for excessive realism and some of the panels seem too rushed, but at the important points he tends to abandon the usual ink and photoshop illustrative style for swirly watercolour paintings that makes you gasp. To be honest, I loved the art more than the actual story. I can relate to what D goes through: While no one died in my life, I used music as an outlet to get away and deal with problems I had. There is solace in music, especially Doom Metal and its derivatives (I prefer Post-Rock): Massive walls of sound, reverberating guitars, no human voices to take you out of the immersion. This is important: Sometimes you just need your time to get over the shit you have to deal with. It took D fifteen sessions to be ready to move on, and his sessions made him famous. Without true emotions, music tends to stay pale and superficial. 

I think that Doomboy has some strong points, especially the art style and the guitar scenes. The story, on the other hand, skips around a lot, which makes it hard to follow. In the end, I liked it for what it is: A well-crafted comic. 

★★★☆☆

(I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)