Based on the comic by Jeff Lemire, Sweet Tooth is getting a live-action adaptation. The show is coming on June 4th to Netflix and we’re getting a first look.
The comic series was published by DC under their Vertigo imprint launched in 2009 and ran for 40 issues wrapping up in 2013.
Sweet Tooth: The Return #6
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Jeff Lemire
Once upon a time a young boy with antlers lived in a little house under the earth. He had a father and two nannies. They raised him to be good and to obey their every command. They said they loved the boy, and maybe some of them did, but Father? Well, he only loved himself. Father says the boy is a weapon against those who stand in opposition to humanity, while the rebellious Undersider dissidents believe the child to be the second coming of a mythological savior from the past. Haunted by dreamlike memories of a life he never lived and hunted by the man who created him, the boy must choose what and who he will be, and bring this chapter of his life to a close.
Sweet Tooth: The Return #5
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Jeff Lemire
The clock is tick-tick-ticking down. Soon all the nasty hybrid beasts that roam the Earth will get sick and die. And it’s all thanks to our beloved Father and his incredible science virus! He’s doing it for all of you, because Father loves you very much, and soon you and all his other very good, special friends will get to walk upon the desiccated corpses of the villainous creatures that took our home from us! What a joyous time that will be! What’s that? Oh my! It’s almost time! Let’s pack our bags, brush our teeth, and remember to never lie to Father! Because lying is what a hybrid would do, and you’re much better than one of them, right?
Sweet Tooth: The Return #4
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Jeff Lemire
Rejoice! For at long last the tale of the Boy’s miraculous birth is revealed. A savior born of holiness and science! Truly, such a feat could only be conducted by one as holy as Father. Behold! As the stage is set for the final confrontation between man and the abhorrent hybrid beasts that walk the earth! Praise! For out of nothing Father has birthed a savior: the Boy.
Sweet Tooth: The Return #2
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Jeff Lemire
Father is not very happy with the boy. The boy should have listened to Father. Surely, every boy needs to play, run, and be wild…but the boy can never be free…not really. Now the boy has done something quite bad and made Father very unhappy. Go to your room, young man! But the rooms here are very small, and dark, and cold, and the boy is not very happy in them. No one is happy. But sometimes, even from a bad time, something special and unexpected can blossom.
I’ve never read an issue of Sweet Tooth. As much of a fan of Jeff Lemire as I am, I never went back and read the series, no matter how many good things I’ve heard. So, with its latest volume set to debut, I thought I’d dive in to Sweet Tooth: The Return #1. And, after the first issue, I’m intrigued…
Sweet Tooth: The Return isn’t a follow up it seems. From the solicits it’s described as a “bold re-imagining” of the mythology. It takes the elements of the original series and remixes them into something familiar but new. As I haven’t read the original, I can’t really comment on that. The comic and the world is new to me. So, I’ll leave others to go in that direction.
Writer and artist Jeff Lemire delivers a world of mystery. It’s a story of indoctrination with a theme and message that can be debated for some time. Where Lemire is going with it all, I’m not quite sure yet but there’s a clear focus on a cult-like world. That focus had me wondering if Lemire was giving us a series with commentary on our modern world, taking his classic concept with updating it with today’s sociopolitical world. Where the environment might have been a topic before, demagogic leaders is the theme of this one.
The debut issue introduces us to a mysterious world as its main character explores and discovers it, so do we. It’s a location where we feel captive and denied knowledge. An interesting debut that toys and plays with how much information is provided to the reader and when. Just when you think you’re about to break free, for instance, you don’t. Instead, the issue and its world remains somewhat claustrophobic and confined.
Lemire is joined by José Villarubia on the art. Lemire’s style is enhanced with Villarubia’s watercolor-like addition. The art is beautiful, as expected. There’s also a weird beauty of this world. It’s an almost sterile environment, perfect in design with nothing out of place. That leaves the small details to focus on. Dirty, crusty finger nails deliver a sense of malevolence. What seems like mechanical nurses adds a bit of unease. It’s a mystery of a debut that forces you to look for clues among the visuals.
Sweet Tooth: The Return #1 is an interesting debut. While it doesn’t have me wanting to see what has come before, I want to see where the series goes. The story of attempting to escape your current reality is something that’s very relevant to today and the religious aspect to it makes it all the more intriguing. As someone new to the world of Sweet Tooth, I’m excited to see where it all goes and watch Lemire work his usual magic.
Story: Jeff Lemire Art: Jeff Lemire
Color: José Villarubia Letterer: Steve Wands
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics
Sweet Tooth: The Return #1
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Jeff Lemire
Color: José Villarubia
Once upon a time there was a little boy named Gus. He had antlers and lived with his father in a little cabin in the woods. Then his father died, and the big man with cold eyes took Gus away. Gus went on many great adventures, found friends, love, happiness, family, and acceptance. Now, years later…it begins again. A young boy with antlers and deer-like feature wakes in a bizarre and completely foreign world where the last humans struggle to survive. They tell the boy he is special, he is chosen, and that he alone can lead them back to a world dominated by the oppressive Hybrids. Sweet Tooth: The Return is no re-hash of the original series, but rather a bold re-imagining of the Sweet Tooth mythology; taking elements of the original series and remixing them into something familiar, but totally new. A divided world. A planet long ago past the point of devastation. And at the center of it all, a child who didn’t ask to be born into any of this, but who has no choice but to try and forge some life for himself. His visions and dreams may not be real at all…they may just be fiction. But they are hope. And sometimes hope is enough. Acclaimed writer/artist Jeff Lemire reunites with colorist José Villarubia to bring you the next chapter in the saga of DC’s acclaimed series Sweet Tooth!
On November 3, acclaimed international bestseller Jeff Lemire and colorist José Villarubia reunite for a new six-issue post-apocalyptic fantasy miniseries featuring the bizarre, haunting, Sweet Tooth!
Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Gus. He had antlers and lived with his father in a little cabin in the woods. Then his father died, and the big man with cold eyes took Gus away. Gus went on many great adventures, found friends, love, happiness, family, and acceptance.
Now, years later…it begins again. A young boy with antlers and deer-like feature wakes in a bizarre and completely foreign world where the last humans struggle to survive. They tell the boy he is special, he is chosen, and that he alone can lead them back to a world dominated by the oppressive Hybrids.
Sweet Tooth: The Return is no re-hash of the original series, but rather a bold re-imagining of the Sweet Tooth mythology; taking elements of the original series and remixing them into something familiar, but totally new. A divided world. A planet long ago past the point of devastation. And at the center of it all, a child who didn’t ask to be born into any of this, but who has no choice but to try and forge some life for himself. His visions and dreams may not be real at all…they may just be fiction. But they are hope. And sometimes hope is enough.
Sweet Tooth: The Return #1, with a cover by creator Jeff Lemire and a card stock variant cover by Jim Lee, debuts November 3. New issues will ship monthly and the series will carry DC’s Black Label content descriptor, indicating content appropriate for readers 17+.
Sweet Tooth is heading to Netflix for a live-action eight-episode series order. The series is being produced by Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey and is based on the Vertigo comic series created by Jeff Lemire.
Released in September 2009, the comic series ran for 40 issues and stars Gus, a human/deer being who lives deep in the woods. He eventually leaves his home in the forest and discovers a world ravaged by a cataclysmic event.
Jim Mickle and Beth Schwartz will pen the script, executive produce, and serve as co-showrunners. Mickle will also direct.
Christian Convery, Nonso Anozie, Adeel Akhtar, and Will Forte will star in the series, with James Brolin attached to voice the show’s narrator.
Lemire has also revealed he will be reviving the series having teased Sweeth Tooth: The Return on Twitter.
You can buy the series in three deluxe volumes.
Book One – Hardcover – Kindle – comiXology
Book Two – Hardcover – Kindle – comiXology
Book Three – Hardcover – Kindle – comiXology
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
While the comic news and releases have slowed down, it doesn’t mean the news has! We’ve got some news and reviews for you in our morning roundup.
CBLDF – Resources For Comics Creators and Employees Impacted By Coronavirus – Some helpful information.
The Beat – A Year of Free Comics: The many zines of Sarah Mirk – Free comics!
Comicbook – Netflix Orders Robert Downey Jr’s Sweet Tooth to Series, Based on Jeff Lemire Comic – Is there any comic not being turned into a tv show or movie?
Newsarama – Kubert School Waiving Application Fees For 2020-2021 School Year If You Apply This Month – Live your dream and apply!
Deadline – ‘Superman & Lois’: Emmanuelle Chriqui To Play Lana Lang In the CW Series Based On DC Characters – Kind of forgot this series was coming.
Deadline – ‘Superman & Lois’: Erik Valdez To Play Lana Lang’s Husband In the CW Series Based On DC Characters – Yeah, still forgot this was coming.
Newsarama – Disney+ Surpasses 50 Million Subscribers Globally – That’s a lot of subscribers.
Review
Newsarama – Quarter Killer Vol. 1
