Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay points, the comic book review blog for the ODPH podcast.

For this entry, we’re checking out a brand new original graphic novel published by Dark Horse Comics by way of the Flux House imprint. MISTER MAMMOTH by Matt Kindt (BRZRKR with Keanu Reeves), Jean-Denis Pendanx and Jim Campbell welcomes readers into the life of the world’s greatest detective and a case that might be the only one he can’t solve. Knowing the creators involved, this is a mystery readers won’t be able to wait to see get solved! Let’s take a closer look into the enigma surrounding the legend of the puzzling investigator, shall we?

**MISTER MAMMOTH** by Matt Kindt, Jean-Denis Pendanx and Jim Campbell
Credit: Dark Horse Comics via Flux House

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The story opens up an overview sight of New York City at night. In a lone apartment, there is a soap opera on the television. A voice is narrating the story for the readers. The description plays out as a woman is sent away by her husband. After being deemed “ill” by doctors, she plots her escape from a secluded area with one intention on her mind: Murder.

At this moment, the story shifts back to a bar where things appear to have become unglued. There is damage everywhere with most of the patrons outside recovering from their fight wounds. What or better yet, who could have caused this? Readers don’t wait long to see a group beating down a large individual who turned off a double overtime game for the soap (or “crime story”). When the police show up and the crowd disperses, one man is left in the aftermath: MISTER MAMMOTH!

After a flashback sequence, a man names William Carona is sitting in an office, praising the person behind a desk. Readers see a quick glimpse of the office in daylight before they see a recovering Mammoth entertaining Carona’s banter. Carona starts breaking down how Mammoth has solved impossible cases in near record time while Mammoth does his own evaluation of the potential client, more or less asking him to get to the point.

Carona (who is quite wealthy from his time in the pharmaceuticals business) states that he feels someone named “Mr. X” is trying to ruin him unless he pays a one Million dollar ransom. Mammoth is handed a picture of the client walking in the street, which was taken less than a week ago. This comes off the heels of the threatening phone call. With this information at hand, Mammoth begins his investigation.

Readers tag along as they watch Mammoth go to work. With his imposing figure (standing over seven feet tall), Mammoth begins gathering information from various sources. Using his impeccable skills, Mammoth meets with Carona and starts tearing apart his case. Mammoth gets Carona to come clean about an affair with a woman named Vera, which Mammoth plans to go meet next. This move pleases Carona who appears to be amused like a fan to see how Mammoth works.

From this stage, Mammoth sets out to talk with Vera. The information he gets sends him on a new path: uncertainty. This is new ground for Mammoth as something is not adding up. With growing frustration, Mammoth furthers his search for clues, unlocking memories he would wish would be long forgotten.

How does the past tie into the present? What is the symbolism of the soap opera in relation to Mammoth? The case delves into further directions that will keep the audience locked in. The final act of this story will bring new points to light as with every great mystery tale. The payoff will hit hard and answer many looming threads in the beginning of the story. Its’ epilogue completes this chapter of Mammoth’s life with leaving readers wanting more. The novel is an impressive read that won’t be easy to put down.

BREAKDOWN: Kindt weaves quite the exciting mystery behind a complex walking puzzle that is Mister Mammoth. There are many layers to the character which makes for a fascinating lead character. In many detective stories, the sleuth carries a confidence unmatched. Early in this story, readers witness that Mammoth doesn’t buy into his hype, just relying on his feelings of what he can and can’t solve. The man behind the myth is through at what he does, but Kindt portrays him as a broken soul but deception may be reality. The soap opera portion may throw some readers off at first but before closing out the book, its’ importance gets clarified. The same can be said for the childhood flashbacks. Kindt paces all three plots without losing sight of the endgame: defining who is Mister Mammoth.

Pendanx makes a strong US debut with the art duties for this novel. The art captures the grittiness of Mammoth’s world and reflects the adversities he’s gone thru. New York has an energy all its’ own and even the breaks where things venture off the case keep a unique feel to a larger picture being pulled into focus. Solid work with the coloring to bring each scenario to a greater light. One of the strongest art elements is the mannerisms of both Mammoth and Carona. Readers can sense there’s a bigger game of chess being played out between the two as the investigation becomes exposed. The final moments of the close bring forth a great deal of emotions that have been building travelling alongside Mammoth’s journey. There’s an excellent final moment involving a painting that ends this story on a very strong note.

FINAL POINT: “It’s a mystery…I forget.” Kindt and Pendanx welcome readers into a dark and intricate dive into the lore behind the World’s Greatest Detective. Exceptional writing and exquisite art bring readers a perplexing question through these pages: Is Deception reality? Settle in for a story you won’t want to miss on new Comic Book Day.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Mister Mammoth. Thanks for reading.

MISTER MAMMOTH OGN (DARK HORSE COMICS)

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