Review – Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body #1
Review – Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body #1
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Luca Casalanguida
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Release Date: November 10, 2021
Variant Cover Artist: Marco Turini
Issue #1
Where is Lee Harvey Oswald’s body?
The Kennedy assassination is a rat’s nest of conspiracy theories: mafia involvement, the second gunman, government cover-up… but the most important chapter of this sordid tale may just be the theory that the body buried at Oswald’s Rose Hill gravesite is not actually Lee Harvey himself.
Meet the ragtag group of “useful idiots” who are unwittingly brought together to clean up the crime of the century – a wannabe cowboy from Wisconsin, a Buddy Holly-idolizing (former) car thief, a world-weary Civil Rights activist ready for revolution, and a failed G-Man who still acts the part – and specifically, regarding the matter of Oswald’s body.
For fans of Department of Truth and Time Before Time comes an off-kilter crime thriller set in the shadows of history’s greatest conspiracy by Eisner Award-nominated writer, producer, and director Christopher Cantwell (Iron Man, The United States of Captain America) and artist Luca Casalanguida (Lost Soldiers, Scout’s Honor)
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
The issue starts with an excerpt from a book about wraiths appearing during a catastrophe, leading to those who see it dying shortly afterwards. We then jump to 1982 where Oswald’s body is being exhumed to shut down conspiracy theories that he’s not in the coffin.
The action then jumps back to the early 60s where a mysterious stranger, Frank, recruits a ragtag band of misfits and convicts. Each has a unique talent but is failing in their current job or profession so Frank easily coerces them into joining his crew.
Cantwell’s tale feels like a slow burn setup issue with almost no action or mention of LHO. But at the end of the issue, we have a crew and more importantly, they have a mission. The writing is very time appropriate and doesn’t feel cheesy or forced. The mysterious Frank makes the biggest impact across the issue. Without pages and pages of back story, facts or cramming the issue with the assassination stuff we all know it still feels in the right time and space.
Artist: Luca Casalanguida
Casalanguida’s artwork is impressive bringing each character already complete and without the need for backstory or similar. The character of Shep stands out with his embarrassing $91 dollar heist a hilarious, sad tool creating a humanised criminal.
Overall Thoughts
Everyone loves a good conspiracy theory and the JFK assassination is the granddaddy of them all. This seems to put that to one side and develop a heist around the lesser-known theory that LHO was never buried. It’s weird, wonderful and tap dances the line between reality and fact skillfully.
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Have a look at our preview of the first few pages to whet your appetite
