Warning: contains spoilers Huge Detective #1-3!
Huge Detective, from Titan Comics, does what many considered impossible: successfully mixing the noir genre with kaiju. These two seemingly disparate genres actually share some things in common, and Huge Detective Brings these sinuous strands together beautifully. Huge Detective The unique blend of the noir/thriller genre and giant monsters makes it one of this year’s most memorable crime comics.
Huge Detective was written by Adam Rose and drawn by Magenta King. In the near future, giant monsters emerge from underground, threatening to invade humanity. The monsters, called “Huges”, are intelligent, and eventually they and humanity reach an agreement to share the planet: the Huges get the Australian continent, which is then renamed “BrobDingNag”. The Huges remain isolated in their homeland most of the time. This peace comes to an end when a murder mystery forces a human and a hulking detective to join forces to solve it – but can these two disparate species learn to work together?
The Kaiju and Noir genres have a lot in common
Both genres serve as important reminders to humanity
On the surface, the kaiju and noir genres appear to have nothing in common. The kaiju genre, which emerged in Japan in the 1950s after the release of Godzillait featured giant monsters wreaking havoc on Earth. The genre was rooted in the atomic anxieties of post-World War II Japan (and the world). Just before the birth of the kaiju field, and a continent away, the noir genre thrived. Just as kaiju reflected Japan’s post-war malaise, the noir genre did the same for American audiences. Noir also produced some of the best American films of its time, such as Double Indemnity.
Other film noir classics include The big sleep, the postman always rings twice and The Maltese Falcon.
With this in mind, it is easy to see the connection between the two genres. At best, both camps can provide scathing critiques of imperialism, gender roles, and the nature of good and evil. The police in noir films can be just as evil and corrupt as the criminals they chase. In the kaiju realm, Godzilla, who started out as a commentator on nuclear weapons, would become a hero within a decade. The tropes that defined these genres are employed to brilliant effect in Huge Detective.
Huge Detective Blends two genres so well, fans will wonder why no one has done it before
Huge Detective It’s another win for Titan Comics
Social commentary abounds in Huge Detectivefirst problems. The Huges, feared and misunderstood by humanity, become allegories for the refugee crisis facing the world. Huges are, despite their large size, not only highly intelligent but also telepathic. They have a lot to offer the Earth, but fear and prejudice have won. The two races existed together, but humans still have doubts. Now, a terrible tragedy brings them together. Both sides will be forced to confront their prejudices and mutual hatred so that justice can be served.
Huge Detective The “absurdity on paper” premise works well, thanks to writer Adam Rose’s script and artist Magenta King’s vivid art.
Huge Detective The “absurdity on paper” premise works well, thanks to writer Adam Rose’s script and artist Magenta King’s vivid art. The opening pages tell fans everything they need to know about the Huges before diving straight into the gripping mystery at the heart of Huge Detective. Rose’s characterizations are intriguing, and between him and King, they create characters of depth and nuance. New from Titan Comics Huge Detective mixes genres with seemingly nothing in common, and his ability to blur the lines between them has created an intriguing and unique crime comic.
Huge Detective #1-3 is on sale now from Titan Comics!