CHERRY BLACKBIRD #3 – Review

In CHERRY BLACKBIRD #3, available from Scout Comics on October 6th, 2021, Cherry performs a return concert to lure out her next target, a vampire with a penchant for humiliating her victims.

The Details

• Written By: Joseph Schmalke
• Art By: Joseph Schmalke
• Colors By: Joseph Schmalke
• Letters By: Joel Rodriguez
• Cover Art By: Joseph Schmalke
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: Ocotber 6, 2021

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Was It Good?

Author’s Note: The contents of this issue and the preview images below are very NSFW. Proceed at your own peril!

Well, okay then.

I can honestly say I don’t remember the last time I read a comic where one of the two villains and the main hero fought completely nude. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t bothered by it, but it’s certainly not something you see every day.

Following up on the previous issue with the grindiest of grindhouse violence, Schmalke tries out a nude… err, new angle to see how gonzo the story can get with birthday suit brawling, down-and-nasty rock, and explosions. To be clear, this is a positive review. This sort of material may not be to everyone’s liking, but for anyone who’s a fan of grindhouse material ala Ilsa, She-Wolf of the SS and I Spit On Your Grave, this comic hits the magic “YES!” button.

The fascination with this type of grindhouse schlock depends on the reader. For some, it’s a test to push the boundaries of defining entertainment. It’s a quest to find the line between “shocking but still entertaining” and “shocking and oh, no, I don’t want to see this”. To be clear (again), the contents of this comic only venture into the R-rated territory but it’s a very hard R. Still, it’s pretty outside the norm for any comic you’d see from a mainline publisher, and I would encourage more creators to find publishers that allow them to creatively push boundaries as Scout is doing here with their Black Caravan label.

As for the actual plot, there’s still a decent amount of plot progression beyond the patina of shock. Cherry sets up a plan to use herself as bait for the next escapee using her newly-gained sensing abilities, and it works out logically. To Schmalke’s credit, the pacing in this issue is practically a sprint. As soon as one target is dealt with, we jump right to the next with reasonable plot contrivances that make the story simple enough to keep readers following along while simultaneously being distracted by the spectacle of it all.

Schmalke pulls double duty as artist and writer, and while the art is not the cleanest in the world, the rough-and-gritty art style fits the grimy tone of the story. Having reviewed Schmalke’s work on other titles, the style here is definitely not his only style, so you can conclude the rough sketchiness is a creative choice, and it’s a successful one.

In all, prepare to be shocked and slightly uncomfortable because this comic isn’t made for your grandma.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

Before you read on, get into the groove by reading our CHERRY BLACKBIRD #2 review.

We ended the last issue with getting a tip the next target, Miss Cocaine, is a vampire on the prowl. Cherry decides to hold a Whores of Babylon concert to use herself as bait to lure Miss Cocaine out of hiding. When Miss Cocaine is done with her latest plaything, she finds out about the concert and takes the bait.

During the concert, Cherry senses Miss Cocaine is nearby, so she takes a break backstage to seek her out. Cornered in one of the dressing rooms, Miss Cocaine pounces and attempts to hypnotize Cherry into becoming a humiliated sex slave for a viral broadcast on her phone. However, Miss Cocaine’s hypnotism doesn’t work and Cherry puts an end to the vampire.

Acting without thinking (again), Cherry realizes she killed the vampire without getting information on the other escapees. Fortunately, the phone Miss Cocaine intended to use for her broadcast is unlocked and has contact info on the next target, Mister October. We conclude the issue with a trip to Detroit, a clothes-rending explosion, and a rain-soaked fight that’s just getting started.

Final Thoughts

CHERRY BLACKBIRD #3 is dead set on telling you a fast-paced, action-filled, grindhouse-styled story with all the shock and awe you can handle. While the rated-R material is a bit outside the mainstream sensibilities of most publishers these days, it’s a heck of a lot of fun. Check your trigger warnings at the door because this comic is not for the weak of heart.

Score: 8/10