What can I say about Platinum Grit? That it is one of the best comics online? That I’ve been following it religiously for something like five years? That the art and writing alone are superior to almost every other comic on the web?
I can say all those things with certainty.
From the top: NIls, Kate, and Jeremy. Poor Jeremy...
Platinum Grit is the brainchild of Trudy Cooper and Danny Murphy, folks who continue the tradition of another iconoclastic comic set in Australia, Tank Girl. Grit has got everything I look for in a great read: complex characters, intricate and varied writing, aesthetically pleasing layouts, fantastic illustration, and an original-but-consistent story-world. Although the comic focuses on three main characters (the bumbling Jeremy, the sexpot Nilson, and the moody Kate), the scope of Grit goes far beyond, blending science-fiction, fantasy, humor, drama, and ancient Scottish mysticism into a succulent and easy-to-swallow cocktail. Though it goes down as smoothly as a 15-year-old Scotch, beware the after effects: it will mess you up good.
The hunter stalks her prey...
In all honesty, there is no way for me to summarize Grit in a way that will do the comic justice. There are aliens, Scottish monsters, trans-oceanic car trips, noir-style detectives, and even a Highlander. There is just too much in play, the characters are too complex, the story is all over the place (in a “controlled chaos” sort of way). If you only ever read one comic that I recommend, let it be Grit. I promise that you won’t look at graphic storytelling the same way again.
WARNING: Platinum Grit features some adult themes, strong language, and nudity. Reading Grit can be habit-forming and the following side effects can occur: dizziness, confusion, sadness, restless leg syndrome, inexplicable joy, and an uncontrollable desire to read it over and over again. Should any of these conditions arise don’t contact your doctor. I mean, seriously, it is just a comic. And you were warned, so it really is your own fault.
