The one thing I still love best about cons is the chance to walk through the artist alley and discover original works, speak with artists, and get to see the stuff you might not find in the Dealer’s Room. At NYCC this year, I was pleased as punch to get my hands on Jook Joint, #1, the new venture by Bingo Love‘s Tee Franklin with Alitha Martinez, Shari Chankhamma, Taylor Esposito and Mike Hawthorne.

The title comes from an American black southeastern colloquialism, Jook, (aka Juke) Joint, a honkytonk that served the black population. Think “Jukebox.” A Jook Joint is a place for people to escape their lives, grab a drink, some companionship and relax. THIS Jook Joint is also a place where women can get revenge on those who assault them., among other things.

The book comes with a trigger warning for sexual and domestic abuse, and violence, it also comes with a raft of hotline numbers. (See the bottom of this post for those numbers, if you need, there are people who can help you. Call them.) Because I felt this book’s violence to be entirely therapeutic, it didn’t strike me as violent at all. Nonetheless, it is violent.

In Jook Joint #1, we meet a lineup of women who need shelter from men and the witches who protect them, all centered around Mahalia, who uses her magic to offer the sick and frightened protection and, if they desire, vengeance for the abuse.

There is a touch of lesbian sex and my gut tells me Mahalia loves both the women and the men who treat her with respect. Hopefully we’ll see some of that in upcoming issues.

This was such a great comic, honestly. It felt like a throwback to the horror comics of my youth in which the grotesque was eclipsed by the everyday horrors of real life, for which revenge would be no more than a bandaid. Slasher horror and psychological horror wrapped up in some beautiful art. So good.

#1 ends with the story of Heloise, the victim of domestic violence, but now that her husband is turning his wrath on their daughter, she’s had enough. Will she go through with Mahalia’s spell? Tune into Jook Joint #2 to find out! You know I will. These are all available in print and on Comixology on Kindle.

Ratings:
Art – 9
Story – 9
Characters – 9
Service – 9 Nakedness, but for me the service is the vengeance
Lesbian – 5 Only a few panels in the beginning, but pretty blunt

Overall – 9

Some excellent American horror comics right here. It felt good.

Call, if you need help:

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-27-8255