As celebrated as Tupac Shakur is worldwide for his music, those who are real fans know he’s so much more than a rapper. I remember listening to “Trapped” for the first time. Shakur spoke about mass incarceration of black people in a time when many rappers were more concerned with partying. His music is certainly timeless, and his writing is something that only true artists can appreciate.

His music was only a part of his considerable talents. His acting was powerful. Who can forget his unbelievable turn as Bishop in Juice? It was a portrayal that can be appreciated for its complexity and which was replicated by Michael B Jordan in Black Panther. His other movie roles show an actor serious about his craft and whose character development is unparalleled. One of those movies which was underseen in its heyday, was Gridlock’d. The film saw him and Tim Roth play a pair of junkies whose lives are in a constant state of chaos. In the newest release from Fifth Dimension Comics, Modern Animals, we find a pair of lowlifes who get themselves in quite a predicament.

We meet two men, one that is tied up, blindfolded and in his underwear, and questioning his life choices , known unaffectionate as Pussy Boy, and the other, Bones, a man that holds no scruples, as we fid out that that their lives re crazier than they are, making money on porn sets and fun with wild girls. We also meet Jerome, a disturbed serial killer, who has voices in his head, as the reader bears witness to his latest victim. We also meet Sally, a young porn actress, whose choice of occupation has been less than desirable, only compounded by her life back home. As Bones and, get caught up with the unsavory side of the porn business, they get caught in a crossfire with a pair of brothers who have always been a thorn of the side of our protagonists. By book’s end, one of our protagonists finds their dilemmas too much for them to go on as this life they live has an early expiration date.

Overall, it’s a graphic novel which feels like a new school version of Pulp Fictionand whose characters feel even truer to life. The story by David M. Brown is intense, funny, and gripping. The art by DNS and Mira Mortal is lucid and gorgeous. Altogether, an excellent story which proves that creators not named Quentin Tarantino can also tell a tale as alluring in this world.

Story: David M. Brown Art: D.N.S. and Mira Mortal
Story: 10 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy