Michael Cortez's tale takes place in the neighborhoods of Houston's south side.
Cortez comes from a graphic design and tattooing background. His book is told in stark black-and-white snapshots, and his primary art influencers is acclaimed punk rock album and poster designer Raymond Pettibon. He also draws his vibe from author Charles Bukowski and musician Tom Waits. The result is very reminiscent of James O’Barr’s “The Crow,” full of hyper violence and haunting panels dominated by darkness.
The story itself is instantly compelling. Both Ricky and Damien are likeable young men who look like they might be able to walk the straight and narrow. For Damien, his path out is repeatedly blocked by tragedy and betrayal. Ricky, though, is the real Faustian tale. With his father in jail, he constantly looks to prove himself in a hostile environment. This leads him to a contempt for weakness that slowly strips his soul.
“That kept happening. I’d do a drive by scene, and then one happens down the street,” he said. “The art helped deal with the worry of regular living. When you’re writing about it, and you want to show someone being lonely, you pull that out of your own life.” “A Violent New World” may be Cortez’s first foray into comics, but it’s a marvelous Houston story that shouldn’t be missed. He has a brilliant ability to mix the comic and the awful like a back tattoo extolling the virtues of laughing now and crying later. The book is raw, rough, and real, as well as a ride into the way bad neighborhoods dominate the lives of good people. Cortez succeeded in making something no one else had yet.Your weekly guide to Houston arts & entertainment.