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Tales of Supernatural Law    by Batton Lash Amazon.com order for
Tales of Supernatural Law
by Batton Lash
Order:  USA  Can
Exhibit A Press, 2005 (2005)
Softcover
* *   Reviewed by Lance Victor Eaton

Even a kangaroo court would reel at the sight of the clients of Wolff and Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre. Some defense attorneys specialize in murder, personal injury, or divorce cases, but Alanna Wolf and Jeff Byrd represent the disenfranchised and dispossessed (though sometimes spiritually possessed) supernatural beings that most folk want to lynch and other attorneys want to run from.

Tales of Supernatural Law delivers a fantastic collection of laughs and mayhem as two competent and pun-filled lawyers - Wolf and Byrd - win case after case for their eccentric clients and prove that even the laws of nature are subject to further scrutiny by public defenders such as themselves. This volume includes a lot of cases; some are short and to the point, and some play out in the background while the counselors are working on other cases. Then of course, there are the main stories which spin out like any courtroom drama, just with more brilliance and style. Supernatural Law started as a comic strip during the 1980s and 1990s in the Brooklyn Paper and National Law Journal - this graphic novel represents the first eight issues of the ongoing series.

The graphic novel proves a lot of fun, though it should be dealt with in moderate increments. As one can imagine, lawyers can ramble on and on for what seems like an eternity - ask anyone who hasn't managed to get out of jury duty. So, it doesn't come as a surprise that the series relies a great deal on text, and that much of the humor comes from the dialogue. The trade off is that this nearly two hundred page graphic novel will carry you through several hours instead of a single sitting. But with continuing back stories, running gags, and the beguiling wit of the lawyers, it is well worth the read. While the art does not do anything impressive, it maintains a smooth continuity throughout. Given the series' tone, even the attorneys' ghoulish clients are often more comical than frightening, especially when one learns of their crimes.

Law junkies who tune in every week for Law and Order or CSI will certainly enjoy thumbing through this graphic novel. The farcical courtroom proves amusing, entertaining, and a fun, light read.

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