In HOLLYWOOD TRASH #5, available from Mad Cave Studios on February 17th, 2021, our heroic trash men become heroic party crashers in a bid to expose Grapevine as the leader of a murder cult. Meanwhile, Andi escapes capture to confront the man she once called “Father.”
The Details
- Written By: Stephen Sonneveld
- Art By: Pablo Verdugo
- Colors By: Jose Expósito
- Letters By: Justin Birch
- Cover Art By: Pablo Verdugo
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: February 17, 2021
Was It Good?
Yes. It’s a crazy ending to a crazy story arc that defies rational explanation. The characters are outlandish, the setup is surreal melodrama, and the plot twists never stop. Take the most insane soap opera storyline you’ve ever heard of, and double the insanity.
The West-coast art style is a perfect match for the writing where nothing looks possible but everyone plays it completely straight.
To see what we mean, check out our exclusive Hollywood Trash #5 preview for a peek inside.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
We begin with James and Billy sneaking into Papian’s political fundraising dinner. They manage to get into the restaurant’s kitchen through the alley, but it doesn’t take long before they’re spotted by Villachez. What follows is the wildest food fight you may have ever seen committed to comic print.
Despite their best efforts, the boys are captured and locked in the freezer. Villachez finally gets a hold of the magical bracelet James is wearing but leaves it for Grapevine to retrieve once the dinner is over.
Meanwhile, Andi escapes from her bonds with Pupper’s help
Back at the restaurant, Papian hears about James and Billy’s capture and heads for the freezer to interrogate them. When he sees the bracelet, Papian claims it for himself and leaves to confront Grapevine.
Papian finds Grapevine in the restaurant lobby, and vows to seize control of the Privy Council now that he possesses the magical bracelet. When Papian put the bracelet on, nothing happens, and Grapevine condescendingly reveals the bracelet isn’t magical at all. It was simply the object of a test of loyalty for members of the council to find it for him.
An infuriated Papian threatens to expose Grapevine, but before a fight breaks out, Clyde the trash truck crashes through the restaurant wall, knocking out Villachez and injuring Papian. Billy and James escape in the chaos.
Grapevine arrives back at his mansion to find Andi has escaped. As he searches for her, Andi sneaks up behind Grapevine with a gun. She demands to know why all this happened if the bracelet was simply a ruse.
Without giving it away (because you have to read to believe it), Grapevine gives the real reason for wanting James and Billy dead, and it’s more ludicrous than you can imagine and completely in character for Grapevine. Suddenly, Grapevine turns the tables on Andi and snatches her gun.
Do Billy and James make it in time to save Andi? You’ll have to get the issue to find out.
Final Thoughts
In HOLLYWOOD TRASH #5, available from Mad Cave Studios on February 17th, 2021, takes all the wild trashiness of your favorite telenovela and makes it twice as wild. The characters are outlandish, the art is great, the story is mind-blowingly weird, and it’s worth reading for a crazy fun time.
Score: 8/10
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