Resurrection Perverts: Hunter's Point

by Danny Hellman (Illustrator)

In a near-future world porn publisher Harry Homburg clings to the hope that exclusive photos of a US President caught in flagrante delicto will save his crumbling business. Unfortunately, the universe has other plans for him. He will travel beyond the boundaries of our world, to a strange place where the rules of existence are subject to the whims of unseen entities. This biting social satire is presented in vivid full color, one scene per page, like a series of smartphone screens. Danny Hellman has worked as an illustrator since 1988. He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and daughter.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

Published May 23, 2017

Reviews

[Peter Landau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn you, Danny Hellman! Your book, RESURRECTION PERVERTS: HUNTER’S POINT sets up a story only to leave me hanging like autoerotic asphyxiation without the happy ending! But it’s a great story, I’ll give you that, about a portly pornographer, politically damning nudes, a spray-painting serial killer and a trip to the afterworld. These pieces are set up to play in the first book of full page illustrations showcasing Hellman’s clean line and artful use of color. The guy never made a bad drawing, and he’s prolific, so here’s hoping the next number of installments are in the can and ready to push out to an adorning public. I know I can’t wait, you talented bastard!

[Amona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ended abruptly, but I loved the graphics and the story line. The dialogue was entertaining too.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel that doesn't seem to have much redeeming social value other than jabbing at superficial "Hollywood" types - there are no likable characters in the book, and the action mainly consists of a media frenzy (perhaps most characteristic of today's world where media frenzies over sex scandals provide the punctuation points of life, seemingly) and a fading "Hustler"-type magazine publisher's gamble that a forthcoming "shocking expose" of a scandal (which reminds me of the Steele Dossier revelations) complete with photos, will guarantee the future of his magazine and hence his livelihood.

The book consists of wonderful full-page illustrations of the unsavory characters, who appear utterly soul-less, viewing opportunities as strictly commercial, with art reduced to how marketable it may be as a commodity. The protagonist - Harry Homberg - the publisher of the mag (called "Harlot" in the GN) engages in the sort of repartee that might occur in a contemporary noir film, or even screwball comedy. I'll refrain from discussing the denouement of the novel - which gives the book its title (which involves an afterlife that opens the door to a sequel).

I thought the simplified drawing style was excellent, the text I suppose funny/snappy enough, but the book lacked humanity or any sort of "point" other than recounting an incident in the life of Homberg, whose life consists of superficiality, banality, and chasing after money and babes (apparently).

The book had no redeeming social value - no themes that were "edifying." Still, for a reader that's interested in purely escapist read, you could do worse than this book. It's quickly read - and perhaps the reader is supposed to be revolted by Harry's grasping, revolting world. Who knows? There is no alternative offered to the claustrophobic world of the magazine, its slim chances of survival in the digital age, and the rather disreputable, self-seeking denizens who produce the magazine. There is no contrast of a good side to the jaded, sickeningly commercial world that is portrayed in the novel. It's gloomy and possibly nihilistic to the extreme. Even the starlet, Ashley, has a tattoo on her arm "It's a fearful thing to love what death can touch." Evidently based on a quote from a TV show "Godless" https://www.npr.org/transcripts/56987.... I suppose this novel is an interesting (?trenchant) commentary on certain aspects of society today.. but it leaves the reader (or at least this reader) with just emptiness. Perhaps the sequel (which is suggested at the book's end) will bring some redemption (or at least insight) to the "hopeless" protagonist Harry Homberg.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Told in a series of full page panels. A struggling porn publisher is hoping some nude photos of the President will keep his company afloat. Almost the entire book is people sitting around talking. Ends mid story even though this was over 100 pages long. I would have liked a little more closure from something this long. Hellman's art was good. the book just seemed a little pointless up to this point.

Received an advance copy from Dirty Danny Press and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.