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“People Just Ain’t No Good” is a. a song by Nick Cave & Bad Seeds, b. a catchy mission statement for misanthropes, and, c. the title of a UK small press vet Rol Hirst’s excellent comeback comic.

As you might expect from the title, the three stories that make up PJANG serve up a not altogether sunny-side-up view of the human condition. That’s not to say it’s a depressing read – there’s plenty of wry humour and at least one happy ending to be found amongst its three stories – but the overarching theme is that we’re living in a world full of no-good shits. Of course, you can’t really argue with a theme like that. In your hearts you know it’s true.

That being said, the three stories that make up ‘PJANG’ are very different beasts. The first, Grotesque, features nicely atmospheric art by my erstwhile drinking buddy Mr Tony McGee. A time-lapsed tale of infidelity born from insecurity, it’s harrowing stuff.

Next is Get Creative! a blackly comic tale about an advertising exec who turns (a gun) on his industry and embarks on a Bill Hicks-inspired killing spree. It’s vicious, funny, has a great twist at the end and features some lovely, stylised art by Andrew Cheverton which reminded me a bit of the work of 2000AD legend Mike McMahon.

Finally, there’s Rooms for Writers by Rol and Kelvin Green. Despite it’s subject matter (it’s about what happens to writers after they die), it manages to end on uplifting, optimistic note that suggests (to this reader at least) that Lord Hirst of Slawit is not quite as gumpy a Yorkshireman as he sometimes makes himself out to be.

PJANG is very good, costs £1.75 and is available from here. Don’t be a tight-arse – go buy it now.