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Ruule: Kiss and Tell
Review posted: 03 May 2006
Writer: Jeff Amano
Artist: Craig Rousseau
Artist: Jeff Amano, cover
Letters: Omar Mediano
Colors: Giulia Brusco
Publisher: Image Comics
4.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by John L. Daniels Jr.
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The Image Comics graphic novel, Ruule: Kiss & Tell, and the Bible’s book of Judges, featuring the story of Samson and Delilah, both involve complex characters and a love story of deceit and provide an emotional read.
Samson: “With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand therewith.”
— Judges 15:16
Sam Swede: “You Jackass, you’re not the only ones well-armed.” (As he detaches the arm from a thug, Sam uses it to defend himself against a group of gangsters and kills them all.)
—Ruule: Kiss & Tell
Jeff Amano translated this historical tale into a modern love story filled with gangsters, corrupt police officers and a hero with convictions who adores his mother.
The Swede, aka Sam Swede, had it all — the looks, the dames, and the forces of the hand of god. But his weaknesses were the very things he never had: friends and alcohol. Sam did not have many friends — just his mother and a young lad nicknamed “Kid” who cherished Sam’s strength and abilities against the mob more than his bravery.
The crime bosses from the east side despised this fellow, but were powerless against his persuasive ways of dealing with thugs and crime bosses. Swede could break the jawbone of a man with one slap of his hand, but could charm the most beautiful courtesan into leaving her benefactor.
Two women were involved with Sam Swede before the end of his life. Phyllis, the crime boss’s daughter, died before Sam and she were married. The other and most dangerous is Dahlia, who was Don Daggoni’s mistress. Both were interested in one thing: the secret of his great power and strength.
Kiss & Tell is a visually stunning portrayal of the timeless biblical story including the climactic end when Sam destroys an arena by pulling down the pillars while blind after the crime boss Don Daggoni brutally tortures him.
Craig Rousseau’s artwork is well defined and his inking follows his pencils. Rousseau’s shading is speckled to let the coloring by Giulia Brusco bleed through the dark feathering of his inks.
Amano presents the reader with twists and angles as veils are lifted as the story progresses. Amano also wrote the graphic novel Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai, where he combined the historical Japanese tale of the 47 Ronin with the tale of Robin Hood.
Amano used the same premise in this story, but combined characters from the film noir genre. Amano constructs this tale using characters from other movies and books (read the Bogie, The Bible @BJJ, a reference tool in the back of the book, for the comparisons of characters).
This graphic novel by Image Comics is a satisfying read and is worthy of four out of five stars.
—CCdC—
Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
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