This new trade paperback by Si Spencer and Dix could potentially be the strangest graphic novel you will ever read. The simplicity and the utter madness that creates this graphic novel could have made this a terrible read. But instead, Si Spencer and Dix manage to create a story that can be read in a quick sitting and will get readers asking “what the hell is going on?”

The story follows Carlisle, who sits around getting high all day with his friends. The story starts off gloomy, but when new neighbours arrive next door Carlisle decides to leave the house and try and help out. This then gets the attention of Mr. Stapleton, the landlord, who is the most absurd character you are ever likely to come across. This is then followed by the strangest occurrences to ever take place in a graphic novel.

Throughout Klaxon, great emphasis is put on the artwork to carry the story, and with the drugged-up storyline this actually works. Dialogue is used so sparsely, it only enhances the disturbing atmosphere that is already created. The artwork is crucial to telling the story and really allows for the readers imagination to be captured through the use of some bizarre occurrences.

The great thing about this graphic novel is that it is just such a simple story full of originality, but the strange occurrences make it a very amusing read. It is very much a horror story, but it is told in such a way with occurrences that just aren’t explained, it becomes a very humorous tale. Klaxon is a very quick read with very little dialogue involved, but the nightmarish humour mixed with a bizarre story allows for one of the best original graphic novels this year. A quick bizarre read where you shall question what was going on right up until the end.

KLAXON / WRITER: SI SPENCER / ARTIST: DIX GRIM / PUBLISHER: SELFMADEHERO / RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 15TH