GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: Doomboy – Pain + Love + Music = Hugot

Music, love, pain, inspirations, adolescence… these are main ingredients for a very good hugot* story if properly written and executed. Tony Sandoval shows us readers why we must strive to move on with our lives despite the obstacles we are confronting in mundane and tragic existences in his Eisner-nominated opus DOOMBOY, published by Magnetic Press.

Don’t let the title fool us. That’s the main protagonist in the story. It is a teenage story on getting over a tragic loss of his loved one. If you enjoy the amazing Scott Pilgrim series, then Doomboy reads like that but in a more sober, grounded, reflective, and inspirational tone. Music is another important component that this graphic novel offers. Indeed, the main character channels his inner pain and rage to his true passion — rock music. We are familiarized with this one. Almost all rock bands have a “soft” ballad or love song or two in their lists. And the irony here is that song is considered one of their best compositions ever.

[hugot – Tagalog.  to draw or to pull out; the accompanying content draw emotions out of him/her.]

Sandoval knows how to get the readers’ attentions with this coming-of-age story. I don’t necessarily agree with his chosen field of illustrations, but the narrative itself is suffice enough to grab my inner rebellious-lost love-longings adolescent or hugot years that only the masochists and losers can dismiss this fine opus. To make the story more interesting, adolescent tropes are well-placed here—bullying, intense rivalry, late night parties, alcohol and sex (almost), juvenile delinquencies, betrayals, and most importantly, high school. I would not be surprised if Sandoval himself had this kind of experience or being inspired at all to execute DOOMBOY with the passion of an truly inspired young rock musician who channels all of his negative thoughts to create the music he desires and as an outlet of moving on.

The most interesting and innovative illustrations the creator offers us are the pages that present various forms of giant nautilus and squids that the protagonist sees whenever he creates and executes his avant-garde (and epic if you insist) music ever. Perhaps, the intense inspirational moments needed to unleash his inner pain in his chest (note: literally a big hole) and in coping his inner rage and lost. Furthermore, Sandoval’s interpretative views on the clashes of the Norse gods on the succeeding pages are also well-thought and even enhance the narrative and characterization of the main character. Those battles scenes make me wonder if ever he could get a job in Marvel and pair him with current Thor writer Jason Aaron. And, the mysterious “star” girl is both integral and simply enigmatic from her first appearance up to her supposed “disappearance” show the depth of Sandoval’s writing skills of the unknown. Probably, some things are better off mysteriously enigmatic, if not mind-boggling.

Despite the 140 page long story, DOOMBOY reads quite good and really paced well. Not totally forced, very ridiculous and shallow to begin and end with, but quite the opposite. This is a good motivational read for those who wants to go on with their lives and even finding their own inspirational juices as well. Furthermore, Sandoval includes the original story that gives impetus of crafting this one-of-the-kind graphic novel (and the possible explanation why the character’s love interest died).

As I’ve mentioned above, Sandoval’s art style is something for the avant-garde and sophisticated types. Well, disproportionate anatomical shapes like huge heads, very thin legs and arms, and very small feet are just not for everyone’s taste. And there is one scene of (almost) sex act may unnerve some myopic minded readers. And, the lettering is small that can make some sensitive eyes more straining. Nevertheless, the narrative and its delivery trump over these critical nitpick and DOOMBOY deserves the accolades it receives, including the Eisner nomination this year.

DOOMBOY is what a finely crafted visual illustrated tale of loss, music, inspirations, love, and acceptance and realization should be. True, many of this kind exist beforehand, but Tony Sandoval writes a rare literary gem with the passion and execution necessary to make this a worthy read.  This is HUGOT in one of its finest!