Warning: Potential Spoilers Ahead
When I was sent this book I knew I had to check it out as it felt like it was right up my alley and sure enough I was right. To the point that once I started reading, I found myself thinking ‘Hey, this could be Howard The Duck’s homeworld!’ and that just never left me at all. Curtis Paul (our lead Duck) is a former Duck of Heavy Metal Music for a band called ‘Puke Hammer’ turned family man. A family he’s quick to defend, even if its at the expense of his daughter’s education at a really good school. But given the haughty snide ‘tude the Principal has, its probably for the best that little Macy ends up going somewhere else that won’t be quite as judgy. And yeah, Puke Hammer wasn’t exactly a role model but given Curtis hadn’t been part of it in a decade, it really should have had no bearing on anything in relation to his daughter and her education.
But as we all know, some folks are just small minded idiots.
The way he handles things with the Principal is epic and amusing (though his wife Bea would disagree) even if it could’ve been handled differently. Which makes me wonder if he’d make a song about the experience and how the Principal would react once she somehow found out about it. Bea probably wouldn’t be too pleased, at least in public anyway! His first ex-wife, Chris, would probably roll her eyes but would rock out to it more than likely! Now why exactly he left to begin with isn’t entirely clear aside from hints of issues within the band and age making too many thoughts happen.
A conversational pep talk most Metal
But thanks to a pal named Murphy (thankfully a fellow Duck and not the one you taunt by accident), we see things start to roll in a way it hasn’t for Curtis in over a decade. Leading to an epiphany to happen for him where he realizes that yes, he does in fact, love music and playing it. See what happens when you stop thinking so darned much? Justin Heggs and Cam Hayden easily could’ve had a whole lot of drama happen once Curtis re-unites with his old band mates (of which one is his brother in law) but they chose not to go that route.
Snide Authority vs. Rebellious Metal
Which is nice as it probably would’ve been cliché otherwise but hey, the guys are older and more mature now. Well… Maybe to a small extent where maturity’s concerned anyway. And while not using color for this book was probably cost effective, it also made it a slight challenge when telling anyone apart given they are all Ducks. Meaning you needed to pay more attention as you read thru the GN tho my only real true complaint is the back and forth between past and present. As it feels a little jarring if you aren’t paying attention and that could make for some confusion.
Maybe that’s just me however and any other reader may feel differently. Ultimately, this is a book about how its definitely not too late to make amends, being there for your son’s birthday rocks harder than a come back show/tour, and in the words of the ever tired Roger Murtaugh… Curtis and the boys definitely aren’t too old for this shit!
Editor’s Note: Death Metal Duck is available April 14th in digital and hardcover formats!
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Death Metal Duck GN
Black Panel Press
Created by: Justin Heggs and Cam Hayden
Summary: Once the snarling frontman of thrash metal legends Puke Hammer, Curtis Paul is now more dad than demon, trading mosh pits for parent-teacher meetings. But when a chance to reunite the band arises, Curtis finds himself torn between diapers and distortion pedals, family dinners and filthy riffs.
Told with sharp humor and raw heart, Death Metal Duck is a time-hopping, 70-page graphic novel that dives deep into the chaos of parenthood, the passion of playing music, and the messiness of second chances. Featuring real music by a local Alberta band reimagined as Puke Hammer’s discography, this book is a raucous, reverent ode to creativity, comics, and the enduring power of loud guitars.
For fans of slice-of-life stories with a metal edge—this one’s for you.
