Bad Machinery Vol. 3: The Case of the Simple Soul
Story & art: John Allison
Published by: Oni Press
Bad Machinery, the award winning web comic, is back in volume 3 of the print version. John Allison has created a warm and charming world for his characters to play around in. The aim of Bad Machinery sits firmly in the child/young adult market, so the air of whimsy plays out well.
The material on display sustains the plot throughout and the varied characters compliment one another well. While the art is a little sketchy in places (some of the over accentuated poses jars early on), it does fit with the material. This isn’t a 
spandex or high art book, this is a quaint offering with some heart. The offbeat humor sits perfectly with the characters, the level is fine for the target audience and, thankfully, isn’t puerile or too low brow. Running through the spine of this volume is the mystery of the barn arsonist, a dastardly character to be sure. As the mystery unfolds, from varied view points, there are twists, turns, a not-so-red herring, more mild pink salmon, as we explore the investigation. To add to the mix is the appearance of a Troll – not your average denizen in the wilds of England (depending on the time of day, the alcohol quotient, etc)
We join the cast of childhood friends at a time when their group is split, the different elements separated by circumstance. As the pages flip by, as we meet more characters and the plot develops, we are drawn into the varied characters, their stories and their motivations. One particularly amusing representation that really appeals in the book is that of the Fire Brigade – a delicious slice of bizarre humor at play. There is one very nice piece of social commentary, on the nature of mobs, it isn’t preachy or condescending, but nicely delivered and effectively told.
As the book enters the final third, as some surreal silliness livens the plot and a gross error of judicial judgement hangs over proceedings John Allison gradually pulls the different threads together. There is a natural resolution to the discord between the factions of friends, the firebug mystery is conveniently (and moderately unconvincingly) solved and the book wraps in satisfactory manner.
