Method Man

Given the breadth of ventures stamped with the ominous symbol of the Wu—albums, clothing, films, books—it now seems inevitable that comics be added to the gallery. And while members of the Wu-Tang Clan haven’t always succeeded when they’ve stepped out of the rap game—and lately they’ve even had a spot of trouble with that—Method Man’s first funnybook foray manages to recapture the glory of the Wu’s self-serious battyness.

The plot, for such a short graphic novel, is deliriously complex. A cadre of killer priests, all descendants of the biblical Cain, have battled monstrous hell spawn called Abhorrents since, well, since the birth of Cain. Peerless Poe—who looks, talks, acts and smokes like Meth—is a fallen soldier serving as a rogue agent who works the ghettos. He was one of the Method Men, but fell off the wagon when he couldn’t maintain the vow of celibacy. When his old teacher and the other last remaining priest come calling, the threat to the world looms too large for even a jaded monster slayer of the streets like Peerless to say no.

Of course, it’s all silly, but that’s what makes this book so fun. There’s nothing quite like seeing a cartoon Method Man operate demented machinery like an “axe gun” or react to marauding creatures of the deep by crying out, “Nigga what?” Not for lovers of great literature, but certainly for those who like their comics hammy and are proud of it, Meth’s comic provides the antidote for those old-school fans still hoping for a return to the 36th Chamber.