As you might know, I am a great Willem Ritstier admirer. It seems that this writer is competent in every genre. He has worked together for a long time with draftsman Minck Oosterveer and what a draftsman this is, but I will come back to that later.
Trunk is a science fiction detective comic. Trunk is an ex-soldier who has become a private investigator. When he is instructed to trace the son of Rose and Henry Glendup, he will gain information from the army and his former comrades, since the son of Glendup was also a soldier.
It is an exciting story that shows us the darkest places on this planet. Trunk is a gruff, spitting, punch-you-in-the-gut type of guy which reminds me a bit of Philip Marlowe (an American detective series that ran from 1959 to 1960 and was continued from 1983 to 1986), but perhaps it also has something to do with the fact that Trunk is, like Marlowe, the narrator of the story.
The drawings. Let me start by saying that I think that Minck Oosterveer is one of the best artists the Netherlands has ever had. My first acquaintance with him was by the Nicky Saxx comics (also in collaboration with Ritstier). I was equally charmed by how he lets the outlines flow out of his pen. This album also does not disappoint in this respect. The action scenes just fly from the paper. Where the Nicky Saxx albums are in black and white, this album is in color. Or in 'depressing' colors I should actually say and that is very appropriate because Trunk is not in the most cheerful places (to use an understatement).
Although I am not so much into science fiction, with the exception of Doctor Who, I find this, in this genre, a very good album. On the cover is promising a 1 but, due to the unfortunate early death of Oosterveer, this is the only Trunk album that has been published. But there is a second album in the making with another draughtsman and will be published in 2019. I’m thrilled!
Willem Ritstier on the comiclopedia
Minck Oosterveer on the comiclopedia
