spiral writes, "
Dead Bitch Army
Written by: Andre Duza
Illustrated by: Keith Murphey
2006
Official SiteI'm not partial to necrophilia. It's certainly not something that would ring my bells on a regular basis. Sure there have been moments of self-doubt whenever Koji Suzuki's (is-she-isn't-she-dead) Sadako from the Japanese 'Ring' novels has seemed less roar and more phwoar! whilst creeping up the well towards her prey!
"
! but generally, I protest dear reader, historically and ethically I'm not given to the Cold Ethels of this world (Sorry, Alice..) Okay, I admit I may have been known to gawk, unceremoniously, at Number Nine (or was it Seven?), Romero's foxy (cough, splutter) zombi-ette chick! but THAT'S IT! No more! no sirrrree! Well, maybe there's one more. Andre Duza's delightfully undead ass-kicking (or perhaps ass-munching) super-dame, Bloody Mary, makes me feel just a little tingly all over!
Perhaps it's the novel's artwork, a variety of empowering images of Bloody Mary splattered throughout the chaotic and engaging language within this explosive read, that does it for me. Standing tall above its peers, is an ethereal and enigmatic portrait of the Dead Bitch by the talented Ms Silverfish, an artist also contracted for Duza's forthcoming Jesus Freaks. Her vision of Bloody Mary, Dead Bitch Super Gal, captures the raw, violent and yet exquisite beauty that allows Duza the audacity (Shock! Horror!) of a steamy shower scene within the gruesome pages of this violent horror novel.
Or maybe it's just downright respect for the Dead Buffy that does it for me. After all, with the absence of any Buffy-like nemesis within Duza's debut novel, the nearest to such being a toss up between a jaded aging Barbara Walters clone and delusional sociopath, the Dead Bitch is pretty much left as our best bet for a hero! or anti-hero. Sure, the anarchic and tyrannical world order she seeks to shake, rattle and roll into existence may be a little (ahem) unethical! but is it really much worse than the apathetic world of injustice that Duza's ragtag cast (and by extension.. us) currently inhabit? Who or what are we going to root for, one could ask whilst reading! the Dead Bitch and her amoral Gas Mask Mafia, or the jaded and fading opposition, Her inevitable victims who spend most of the novel crawling away from her murderous charm!?
Dead Bitch Army by Andre Duza is more than a captivating, musically violent, bizarro horror (as if you needed more than that). Submerged within its sinisterly addictive pages, and explosive storyline, is a subtle-as-a-brick social commentary on everything from racism and middle-class-pseudo-liberalism to the subtle fascism rampant within our so-called democracies. Primarily taboo-shaking horror, Dead Bitch Army might also have the quasi philosophers and sociologists rubbing their chins between gut-churning scenes of choreographed death and mayhem!
Perhaps more of a danse macabre than a novel, Duza's Dead Bitch Army is waiting to seduce every fan of horror and innovation alike! Pick her up.. Or you'll be sorry!
