The Clandestinauts

Giant bouncing eyeballs, monsters arising from spilled blood, goo-soaked warlocks, and deadpan transitions like “Meanwhile, back at the bloodbath” combine to create a disgustingly fun quest in the latest graphic novel from Sievert (That Salty Air). The Clandestinauts are a dungeoneering team seeking the Goblet of the Crimson Wizard, which takes them on a byzantine quest with so many layers, it could use its own Wikipedia page. Sievert builds a complex, Tolkienesque world, illustrated by cartoons as violent as Benjamin Marra’s and as silly as Sergio Aragonés’s. Distinctive character designs—such as the one-eyed Crimson Wizard and mummylike Ganglion—pop off the page, and Sievert gives every automaton and warlock, among the dozens of characters, memorable personality. The monochromatic color palette shifts with each scene, acting as a visual soundtrack to the mayhem and helping pace the narrative, which is parceled out in episodes of varying length. The simple color scheme also takes some of the queasiness out of the stabbings and bile puddles. Comics readers who enjoy sword and sorcery with a heaping helping of absurdity will get on board with this insane ride. [em](Jun.) [/em]