New Tiki Joe Mysteries Graphic Novel

Did a search on Tiki Central and didn't see anything about this in any other topic, so hopefully I'm bringing something new - looks like a cool new graphic novel with a tiki flair! Goes on sale in July from Slave Labor Graphics ...

From (and more info available at) http://www.tikijoemysteries.com/NewFiles/thebook.html

This 80 page graphic novel features two complete stories.

THE PAY OFF! Las Vegas, 1959. WWII veteran, Joe Halliday is enjoying the good life. Running Tiki Joe’s Restaurant, courting a beautiful girl and making time with stead-fast friends. It’s all good until the local mob moves in with demands for protection money. When the police are unable to help, Joe calls in a few old army friends. Together they decide to pay the mob off....in lead!

THE HIGH STAKES PATSY. When The Pop-Wheelies, an all-girl motor-bike stunt team, roll into Vegas, Tiki Joe’s becomes their favorite night spot. Joe couldn’t be happier. Especially when the teams leader, Veronica Chase, starts getting fresh. It’s high times in Vegas until things become suspicious. Who stole the Astor Diamond on display at a major casino, and why are the Pop-Wheelies leaving town so suddenly? Joe finds himself being their perfect alibi...and a high stakes patsy!

Nice. I like the buttons he did for the web page, the way the eyes pop open when you point at them, and it's not easy to design circular Tiki faces, he did a good job at that.
And the rendering of the restaurant's exterior, the sign and the A-frame, is promising:

http://www.tikijoemysteries.com/NewFiles/scenes.html

The question is, will he be able to integrate the Tiki theme and all its connotations (escapism, primitivism, etc) into the story and characters, or will they remain exchangeable props (however attractively rendered they may be).

That does look like fun.

But don't forget the original tiki private eye!:

http://www.hawaiiandick.com

Fourth issue of the third series...out sooooon.

-BCM

I bought a copy of Tiki Joe Mysteries today and enjoyed it. The only section I took umbrage to was at the beginning of the second story when Joe claims mixed drinks are for people who don't like the taste of alcohol, then pours himself a whiskey. Seemed an odd thing for a Tiki bar proprietor to say. Besides this, though, both stories were fun. World War II vets tangle with mobsters and cycle babes. Cool!

[ Edited by: Trader Tom 2008-08-29 20:01 ]