MURDER HOBO: CHAOTIC NEUTRAL #3 – Review

MURDER HOBO: CHAOTIC NEUTRAL #3, available from Scout Comics on December 1st, 2021, shows the band of Murder Hobos coming together in the Land of High Adventure for a mission that could save the world… or end it.

The Details

• Written By: Joseph Schmalke, Jarrett Melendez
• Art By: Ryan G. Browne, Stephen Lavigne
• Colors By: Carlos Cara Alvarez
• Letters By: Jason Lynch
• Cover Art By: Ryan G. Browne, Carlos Cara Alvarez
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: December 1, 2021

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Was It Good?

Well, okay then. True to form, MURDER HOBO: CHAOTIC NEUTRAL #3 introduces readers to a collection of individuals loosely based on archetypes from Dungeons & Dragons style RPG’s but with personalities and flaws that exemplify the worst dregs of modern society. Only in a Murder Hobo comic could you find an ice elf that wears tighty whiteys and has a penchant for recreational drugs.

Is this comic for everyone? No, absolutely not. It’s definitely for mature readers. The situations are akin to something out of an early John Waters film, so if that’s your cup of tea, you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. That said, it’s not all shock and depraved imagery for it’s own sake. There’s still a proper D&D campaign in the making here with an assortment of roles being brought together by fate and happenstance for a higher calling. Remarkably, Schmalke keeps you guessing as to whether or not the characters are assembled by a hidden evil or a greater good, so there’s plenty of curiosity to keep readers wondering what will happen in the next issue.

The art style has a distinctively underground feel to it. Browne’s character designs have cartoonish proportions but the details reflect an adult-themed aesthetic. It’s grotesque in a down-n-dirty, grindhouse sort of way that suits the nature of the story. Again, this comic ain’t for kids, so bear that in mind when you get to the page with the blob monster sporting penis-shaped tentacles.

Another surprise in this issue is Alvarez’s stellar coloring. The characters are sloppy (by design), the situations are puerile and gross (by design), and yet, the coloring on all of it is pristine. Alvarez hits a home run with the color shading, contours, and textures.

What’s It About?

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

This issue is broken out into a series of chapters with a first chapter prologue written by Melendez and the rest written by Schmalke.

We begin with a prologue of “Sir” Roddy hired hired by a school to train warriors for combat. Roddy’s resume may be slightly out of date, but he uses his teaching time wisely. “Wisely” as in keeping the students fighting each other and distracted while he robs them blind.

Next, we’re introduced to Venus the ice elf and Spectra the fire succubus as they’re forced together for the first time in jail. When they learn they have a few things in common, mostly drugs and wanton debauchery, they join forces to break out of jail and rob the castle of all contraband, killing every guard who gets in their way.

Later, Spectra and Venus arrive at a pub to spend their ill-gotten gains where they encounter Burrgle the glop and and Scrapper the orc playing a game of skill. When the participants are accused of cheating, a brawl breaks out. Spectra and Venus find themselves making barroom brawl buddies with Scrapper and Burrgle as the fellowship comes together.

We conclude the issue with the new fellowship hired by Lord Froth for a higher purpose, the explanation that the fellowship is not yet complete, and a side quest to get the last member.

Final Thoughts

MURDER HOBO: CHAOTIC NEUTRAL #3 is gross, puerile, underground comic adventure at its finest. The story, despite the mature themes and humor, is a proper D&D-style campaign with plenty of open questions and curiosity for the adventure to come. While the art is just as gross as the writing (by design), the coloring is a surprising standout.

Score: 7.5/10

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