Random Happenstance

We saw Kelley Jones's creation the Hammer about a million years ago, so it's long past time we catch up with another from him: the 13th Son! From 2006, the 13th Son #4, story and art by Kelley Jones, colors by Michelle Madsen.

Hmm, the Hammer predates this book, but I don't believe I had heard of the 13th Son until I saw all four issues for cheap from Midtown Comics. The thirteenth son (duh) of a Puritan father and a thirteen-year-old bride (that's grosser than any of the monster kills in this series) the 13th Son had recently taken the hand of his own mother, who had long ago gone insane and become a witch. With his bride Sara (possibly not his first bride, but his most willing one) he's on the verge of having his own thirteenth son, who could be unstoppable by god, man, or monster.

Furious, his mother rallies the last of her strength, to send an army of monsters to the 13th Son's hidden lair: while controlled, the monsters also hate him for killing countless of their friends, family, and associates. Surrounded in a pair of cool-as-hell double-page spreads, the 13th Son isn't afraid of falling himself, but of losing Sara, who instead uses his mother's hand as a horrible claw to join in the fight! I don't think he was setting up the Kelleyverse--although he maybe should!--but the 13th Son falls into a bit of the same trap that the Hammer did: while the art is great, he's not the most likeable character out there. Still, Jones is always worth checking out.