Reading Drawing Blood #6 brought an infamous quote from Marilyn Monroe to mind: “Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.” I’m pretty sure Drawing Blood protagonist Shane ‘Books’ Bookman would agree with her; he even refers to director Morgan Harbor, who’s adapting his Radically Rearranged Ronin Ragdolls comic into a film, as the man “who has the current lease on my soul.”
Granted, previous issues of Drawing Blood have stressed how up a creek Brooks really is, but it really hits home on the movie set. Co-creator David Avallone doesn’t pull any punches, showcasing Harbor as a professional hype man one moment and a tornado of toxic masculinity the next. As if that wasn’t enough, he also flashes back to the moment where Ragdolls became a animated series…and hints at the fracturing of a bond between Books and his brother Paul. It’s another harrowing reminder that fame and fortune can drive a wedge between people – especially if they’re your family and friends.
Ben Bishop keeps the balance between the ridiculous and the heartfelt fairly well; a scene where Books calls to check in on the status of his production is followed by a panel of the stage literally going up in flames – while there probably isn’t a conflagration in real life, it’s a great sign of where his life is at that point. Books’ love life, or lack thereof, comes to the forefront, leading to another appearance from the Ragdolls, who despite being cartoonish figures once again provide him with some introspection.
I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the work that Luis Antonio Delgado and Taylor Esposito are putting into this series. Delgado’s mix of rosy red and golden yellows manages to perfectly capture the Californian sunset, and he also dials up or turns down the colors based on whether or not Books is too deep in his own head. Esposito’s lettering, particularly the captions detailing Books’ thoughts, also change based on the character speaking. Especially Harbor, who goes from 0 to 11 in a millisecond.
Drawing Blood #6 tackles the Hollywood machine, the perils of opening up your heart, and the pitfalls of fame – but it also gives its protagonist time to breathe. And considering the next issue will send Books back to his childhood home, that’s time that was sorely needed.
