Desolation Jones series discussion (spoilers)

I picked up the first 4 issues of this yesterday, and its officially one of my favorite new series. The former super spys being "imprisoned" in L.A., missing Hitler porn. Genius. And unbelievable art, too. I love this.
 
Well, well, didn't think I'd see D. Jones here. My next-door-neighbor (a comics shop) suggested it from #1, and it is both trippy and riveting. #4 has a unique way of giving our hero anesthesia because he's just ate lotsa speed. No powers, just wits (hmm, swizzle stick to the eyeball followed by knee-collapsing kick?) Should be fascinating as they unravel how these decrepit souls managed to become so deadly.

Only disconcerting thing is how skeletal, disipated limeys can summon the strength to hurt someone. Midget git. (Nuh!)
 
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thee great one said:
I'm going to have to look in to this. Sell me on it.
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I accept your challenge, Sir!!!

Desolation Jones is about a man named Michael Jones (MIKE JONES!) who is the sole survivor of a mysterious procedure called the Desolation Test. So far, we still have no idea what this test was and what effects it really had on Jones. Now, he lives in L.A. Why? As a "spook" he's forced to. "Spooks" are former secret intelligence agents and the failed results of CIA tests and what-not. They are confined to Los Angeles for security reasons. For the most part, it seems like they're allowed to do what they want (as evidenced by the lack of punishment for Jones' more "extreme" behavior), as long as they don't leave L.A.

Jones is a pale, skinny, British private investigator who everyone seems to underestimate. But whenever someone messes with him, he seems to bust out some sort of crazy, brutal move. The action comes in short bursts, but they're very rewarding: Jones jamming his finger into an S&M slave's eye or smashing a light bulb into a shifty porn producer's crotch. He doesn't sleep much because of Desolation Test-induced nightmares and he takes drugs to stave away constant hallucinations.

In the first issue, he takes a case from a rich, dieing military man and former "sexual adventurer". A very valuable film has been stolen from him and ransomed and he needs to have it back. What is this film? Adolf Hitler's homemade porn from 1944. Now say that out loud: missing Hitler porn. These three words alone should make you want to read this series. From therer on out, the story gets deeper and deeper as Jones learns that the military man and his family may not be all that they seem. Not only is this a great trippy story, but the art is beautiful and inventive. Read this book.

So, have I sold you on it?
 
Actually Jones is ex-MI5, and he was washing out as an alcoholic (he took to drinking for as-yet unspecified reasons, presumably connected to something he had to do in the service) and his handlers TOLD him to volunteer for the Desolation Test. We'll see part of the Desolation Test next issue:

http://static.flickr.com/33/59502474_557d389b5c_o.jpg (Note: some swearing, probably not work-safe)

Los Angeles is the dumping grounds for the world's washed-up, wasted and otherwise ditched secret agents, and they have a relatively large, active community. Jones occasionally investigates crimes by/against members of this community, and as long as he is acting against "one of them," pretty much any action gets a free pass.

Part of the charm of the series are the truly strange characters in this community and the people who work with/for them. Also, Jones has a tendency to hallucinate things - the last page of the first issue is beyond gorgeous, as Jones sits up in the hills and "sees" the lost angels that fly above El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles - The Place of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels, the original name for LA.
 
moonmaster said:
I accept your challenge, Sir!!!

Desolation Jones is about a man named Michael Jones (MIKE JONES!) who is the sole survivor of a mysterious procedure called the Desolation Test. So far, we still have no idea what this test was and what effects it really had on Jones. Now, he lives in L.A. Why? As a "spook" he's forced to. "Spooks" are former secret intelligence agents and the failed results of CIA tests and what-not. They are confined to Los Angeles for security reasons. For the most part, it seems like they're allowed to do what they want (as evidenced by the lack of punishment for Jones' more "extreme" behavior), as long as they don't leave L.A.

Jones is a pale, skinny, British private investigator who everyone seems to underestimate. But whenever someone messes with him, he seems to bust out some sort of crazy, brutal move. The action comes in short bursts, but they're very rewarding: Jones jamming his finger into an S&M slave's eye or smashing a light bulb into a shifty porn producer's crotch. He doesn't sleep much because of Desolation Test-induced nightmares and he takes drugs to stave away constant hallucinations.

In the first issue, he takes a case from a rich, dieing military man and former "sexual adventurer". A very valuable film has been stolen from him and ransomed and he needs to have it back. What is this film? Adolf Hitler's homemade porn from 1944. Now say that out loud: missing Hitler porn. These three words alone should make you want to read this series. From therer on out, the story gets deeper and deeper as Jones learns that the military man and his family may not be all that they seem. Not only is this a great trippy story, but the art is beautiful and inventive. Read this book.

So, have I sold you on it?
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Yes you have.
 
And now what I think of the first 5 issues. Bloody brillant. The art is amazing. I love that is name in Mike Jones. The characters are cool and the dialogue is top notch. This is some crazy ****. That gothic chick that creeps people out. Damn . I would be all over that.

A
 
The first arc has finished.

The writing is weird, the art is detailed, and the story is something Ellis has cooked up.

Of course it's good.

I feel as if it started off on a high, then got a bit dull due to the waiting for issues, and then levelled off at an okay ending. Sure, the ending was fun, but it leaves me waiting for more.

However, the thing I like about this book is the art. J. H. Williams III has to be my new favourite artist. Everything he does, Promethea, Seven Soldiers, Desolation Jones... is so detailed. He's like a smoother version of Hitch, and that's saying something. Due to him working on Detective Comics in the future, if he isn't going to continue on this, then I fear it's going to drop in quality.

And I don't want that to happen.
 
From Lying in the Gutters, and confirmed by Warren Ellis:

The new artist on Warren Ellis' "Desolation Jones," to replace the Dini-"Detective"-bound JH Williams, is Danijel Zezelj.
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I'll have it a week from tomrrow if DHL doesn't screw me again. If it gets delayed one day going out I don't get it till monday instead of firday.
 
#7 was... disappointing. The art is alright, but I don't think it fits this book. It's very... dirty and unclear.
 
I like the new guy. Definitely not as good as JHWIII, but I thought his art was very suitable.
 
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