Review by Karl Verhoven
When it became clear Sweet Tooth was actually being produced as a TV show, it left rather a quandry for creator Jeff Lemire. His original story was plotted as finite, and as such featured a definitive ending after six books (or three if read in the bulkier editions). Any continuation would seem obviously forced if for the purpose of new material to accompany the TV show.
Lemire decides to revisit the themes used in Sweet Tooth’s original run, but reframes them in a different situation, beginning with the same circumstances of a boy with antlers confined to an area he’s not permitted to leave. He’s also called Gus, and also aware there’s perhaps more to the world than he’s being told, but in his case he’s prevented from leaving a designated area by small floating robots.
Readers coming here before the original Sweet Tooth will find a complete story of human horror, but with some aspects not entirely explained. Gus has visions of a middle-aged man without knowing why or who it is. Those who’ve read the original series will recognise Jeppard, who underwent quite the redemptive journey, but is merely a mystery here. Lemire has a clever method of ensuring this Gus is as appealingly innocent as his counterpart, and concocts a viable supporting cast ranging from malign through sympathetic to tragic, but never greatly extends himself further.
Artistically everything is fine, with Lemire employing the same expressive style as previously, and while the mystery will puzzle returning readers for a while, no great contemplation is required to eventually pick holes in what’s happening. The Return is dependent on a cult leader holding sway over an underground community, and prone to portentous pronouncements such as “We are on the verge of freedom. We are on the verge of finally seeing the light above!” His power base as presented, though, seems ludicrously weak, so how does he remain in power? It’s never explained. Even accepting shorthand as necessary for extrapolation of a bigger story, there are further shaky aspects.
It’s pleasing that Lemire’s ambition exceeded the easy route of an untold story to tie-in with the TV show’s release, but The Return lacks the depth and appeal of the original Sweet Tooth.
