Violet
If I could give it a 3.5 I would. As with most projects he's attached to, Chris Bachalo's art steals the show. The writing is not bad by any means, Jason Aaron is an accomplished writer but I wouldn't say he's working at his strongest here. Doesn't help that it's also an event tie-in.
Overall though out of all the AvX tie-ins, this was the only one to actually interest me. Certainly worth a read alongside the main event.
The Secret Diary Of Laura Palmer is one of the oddest books I've read as of recent. Written in an Epistolary format, the book gives us a close and very personal look of the life of Laura Palmer.
The initial build up to her loss of innocence is done very well with disturbing metaphors and shocking imagery.
Sadly though, the shock wears off quite quickly.
The drug-filled, sex-driven, adventures of Laura Palmer drag on for far too long. The psychological aspects of the story are quite interesting and give much to those who'd like to theorize about her character. The added insight as to how she felt during the events leading up to Fire Walk With Me and eventually her death were very welcome.
In short, The Secret Diary Of Laura Palmer is an interesting expansion on the already fascinating lore of the world of Twin Peaks just without the compelling story and beautiful visuals of Fire Walk With Me.
Easily my favorite Hellboy Short Story collection of the bunch. Every story is a heavy hitter for me personally, each sporting incredible guest artists (and even one by Mignola himself). I wish Corben could have drawn Hellboy more often, their always some of my favorites.
I know Fritz the Cat is one of Crumb's more βiconicβ creations but I enjoyed all the other bits in this book much more. The candid interpretations of Harlem and Bulgaria were fascinating, seeing the real world through Crumb's pen is really something.