Apparently, China, at least in general, feels very
differently about intellectual property than does the rest of the world; they
even have a word, shanzhai, to signify the relationship between their indigenized
imitations of foreign cultural icons (no, really, look it up!) And while this
idea is not the central focus, its mechanism drives the plot of Ricky Rouse Has Got a Gun.
Richard Rouse,
traumatized by war in Afghanistan, deserts and washes up at Fengxian amusement
park in China. Hucheng, the parks owner,
inspired by Richard’s name, hires him to wear his suspiciously familiar and yet
unique cartoon mouse costume as Ricky Rouse. The rest unfolds like the best of
Die Hard!
Jorg Tittel’s story unfolds action at a smart clip to a
satisfying resolution, a bit of shanzhai itself in its use of thriller tropes
that nonetheless engage and entertain. While some might lament that the issue
of copyright infringement vs shanzhai is only cursorily explored, John Aggs’
Eduardo-Risso-like linework delivers the story clearly and strikes a tone equal
to the subject matter, with discrete color and page flow, that, while
relatively straightforward, allows the story to breathe.
Thanks so much to Victorio “Don’t let him tell you he can’t
draw” DeLuca of Mega City Comics
Thanks, Victorio! Someone give that man a raise!
Visit Mega City at...
http://www.megacitycomics.co.uk/acatalog/About_Us.html
