The Disappearance of Charlie Butters

An unpleasant wannabe death metal trio discovers an abandoned cabin in the woods that changes the life of one of its members in a tale that's all too familiar. After overusing homophobic references to establish how terrible the characters are, Worton (The Klondike) puts band member Travis on a quest to learn more about Charlie Butters, a mentally disturbed artist who left his wife and the city behind to hide out in the forest. Soon Travis quits the band and gets the girl, while the worst member of the trio is shown ranting and drunk. The art style has a strong similarity to Kevin Huizenga's but with looser, more exaggerated lines. The contrasts between Travis's life and Butters's escape are shown via flowing trees and branches clashing against the straight lines of the city. The central mystery offers intrigue, but Worton just doesn't bring much more to the well-worn table of "aimless man discovers himself" stories. (Apr.)