RECENT REVIEWS:

The Number 73304-23-4153-6-96-8 by Thomas Ott »

Omaha Steaks' The Great American Grilling Book by John Harrison and Judith Choate »

For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming + James Bond by Ben Macintyre »

Skyscrapers of the Midwest by Joshua W. Cotter »

True Norwegian Black Metal by Peter Beste  »

In his intriguing new graphic novel, Sloth, author-artist Gilbert Hernandez spins a slyly magical tale of troubled teens in suburbia. That might sound all-too familiar, but Sloth is no mere retread of a well-worn path. High school junior Miguel, a goth-garbed guitarist in a band named Sloth (with his girlfriend Lita and best friend Romeo), awakens from an inexplicable year-long coma and rediscovers life at a new pace. Beyond a foreboding lemon orchard and the mysterious Goatman, Hernandez mixes things up with an exciting (yet appropriately gentle) twist. Not to give too much away, but -- spoiler alert -- superhero comics fans familiar with "parallel universe" tropes will smile to find themselves in Sloth's own otherworld.

Hernandez has huge indie cred from his classic work on the Love and Rockets comic (created with his brother Jaime), but his simple visual style recalls a variety of mainstream artists. Sloth's beautiful black-and-white line work appears to draw inspiration from past masters such as Ramona Fradon (who penciled everything from Brenda Starr to Aquaman) and Lew Sayre Schwartz (who ghosted for Bob Kane to produce some of the most stunning '50s Batman art). At times, you can spot echoes of Archie characters: Lita 2.0 has a sexy real-world Betty vibe (with small breasts and big hips), while Miguel's second iteration is what Jughead could grow into if puberty made him cool.

Sloth provides a welcome contrast to a summertime pop-culture menu of mass-market beach reads and whiz-bang movie action. Speed -- or the lack of it -- is a central conceit in Sloth. Indeed, the multi-functioning title offers a tip on how to enjoy the art at hand. "Lita and I enjoy sex more now," Miguel narrates. "She says it's because I'm slower. I take my time." That's some welcome advice in all areas of life.

Gilbert Hernandez