Babyteeth #1
| Writer | Donny Cates |
| Artist | Garry Brown |
| Cover Price | $3.99 |
NEW SERIES! Sadie Ritter is sixteen years old, nine months pregnant, and scared out of her sweet nerdy mind. Having a baby that young is tough, but with the support of her loving family behind her, everything should be okay. OH YEAH, and also her baby is the antichrist and it's going to break open the barriers between the earthly and demonic planes and unleash eternal suffering to all of humankind. Other than that, though...should be fine. From the writer of Buzzkill, Paybacks, Redneck and the break-out hit God Country comes a pulse-pounding new series with art from THE REVISIONIST's Garry Brown!
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
ComicBook.com - Matthew Mueller
May 15, 2017Above all that is a central conflict of what a mother will do for her child, regardless of what that child could become or what they're destined to do. It's something most parents can identify with in some fashion, granted not on this type of scale. While there are many questions left unanswered, the answer to "should I give this a try" is a resounding yes. Read Full Review
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10
Spartantown - Enrique Rea
May 16, 2017'Babyteeth' reads like a tasty appetizer that doesn't satiate your appetite but makes you hunger for more. There's still so much to the story that Cates is holding back you can't read this and not demand to know what happens next. Engaging characters, mysterious dark overtones, innovative art and the inevitable coming of the antichrist helps make 'Babyteeth' a must-buy. Read Full Review
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10
Newsarama - C.K. Stewart
Jun 06, 2017Sadie comes across as a smart, if slightly naive young girl thrust into maturity unexpectedly, plagued by grim omens illustrated with blood-curdling eerieness that emphasizes the supernatural turn Sadie's life has taken. There are hints from Sadie's monologue of new characters and mysteries to come, enough to tease but not enough to ruin the coming surprises, and the spooky vibe Englert and Brown have given the book with their art is a strong portend on its own that Babyteeth is a book to follow in the coming months. Read Full Review
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10
Horror DNA - James Ferguson
Jun 08, 2017Babyteeth is off to a helluva start. Cates writes characters that feel like actual people you've known all your life, then puts them into horrifying situations that would make any normal person break down. Coupled with Brown's artwork and Englert's colors, this is set to be an incredible series. If this is how the world ends, it's just beginning. Read Full Review
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9.0
Big Comic Page - Craig Neilson-Adams
May 16, 2017Oh, and in case you missed the memo, 2017 is now officially Donny Cates year, folks. Get used to it. Read Full Review
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9.0
Capeless Crusader - Jeremy Radick
May 16, 2017Babyteeth #1 is an evocative, creepy and assured debut for a horror series about the possible coming of the Antichrist, written by Donny Cates ("God Country") with art by Garry Brown ("The Massive"). The team sets up its central concept effectively and with a good sense of dread and foreboding, but don't forget to put real and engaging characters at the heart of the story, so we're involved beyond the concept itself. The art team delivers a striking issue that melds its real-world elements with both its supernatural and even emotional ones. If you're looking for horror with heart, Babyteeth #1 delivers. Read Full Review
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9.0
Comicosity - Chris Campbell
Jun 07, 2017Overall Babyteeth is a surprisingly unique take on an end of times trope intensely illustrated with frenetic artwork. The fact that the story has so much heart to it hooks the reader and will bring them back for the next issue. Read Full Review
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9.0
Graphic Policy - jenisaur
Jun 08, 2017If subsequent issues follow suite, readers are in for a high-speed story that barely gives you time to come up for air. Read Full Review
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9.0
Newsarama - Justin Partridge
Jun 08, 2017I've always said that horror needs more heart and armed with said heart and a sneakily large scale, Babyteeth #1 makes AfterShock Comics two-for-two when it comes to great comics of the spooky variety. Read Full Review
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9.0
Pastrami Nation - Amie Macias
Jul 01, 2017I look forward to seeing how this tale will unfold and any horror fan should gladly added this book to their pull list. Read Full Review
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8.2
Geeked Out Nation - Jess Camacho
Jun 09, 2017"Babyteeth" #1 is a strong debut that does a great job at being a true first issue that gives us lots to want to come back to without feeling hollow. The art and coloring is great and I'm excited for more. Read Full Review
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8.0
Outright Geekery - Christa Harader
Jun 05, 2017Overall, you're left with the good effect that a light narrative and artistic touch can evoke, with just enough portents of chaotic and dark things to come for Sadie and Clark that make for a solid first issue of an original series. Cates' authentic teenage dialogue pairs well with Brown's expressionistic art style to introduce you to a grieving girl who is almost lost " but not quite. At once dreamy and disturbing, Babyteeth promises a new take on the anti-Christ narrative with fine craft that will need to be maintained as the narrative unfolds. If this first issue is any indication, a great story will be sure to follow. Read Full Review
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8.0
We The Nerdy - Jean-Luc Botbyl
Jun 06, 2017I feel like a broken record at this point, because at the end of every Donnie Cates review I beg everyone reading to just go buy it. And, much like Redneck and God Country, Im going to beg you to go out and buy this one. Its a better-than-promising start to another book from one of the best talents in the industry right now. Youre failing not only yourself, but good comics by not at least giving Babyteeth a shot. Read Full Review
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8.0
The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge
Jun 07, 2017Babyteeth admittedly tells me more about the story through the solicitation information than the book itself, though plenty is easily inferred. That's not a big problem overall because those that go in on a book like this are likely doing it more because of the creative side, which is excellent, than anything else at the start. This is a series that will take a bit of time to tell its tale but it felt like it just needed a bit more of a concrete hook in the start here to really demand you come back for more. It's definitely got a lot going for it as Cates sells us Sadie in a big way and Brown's artwork is fantastic as always. I'm definitely curious about where it'll go and it's a book that's definitely on my list of titles to keep an eye on. Read Full Review
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8.0
IGN - Jeff Lake
Jun 08, 2017The lack of immediate answers may turn off some, but for us the strong art and compelling emotional core is pull enough. Read Full Review
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8.0
Multiversity Comics - Matt Lune
Jun 09, 2017An intimate, character-driven approach to the birth of the antichrist which is, understandably, as surprising as it is enjoyable. Read Full Review
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8.0
The GCRN - Daniel Clark
Jun 09, 2017This is only the third series I read by Donny Cates and a pattern is already emerging. His first issues are all about building the premise while at the same time introducing major character relationships that will surround that premise. With God Country it was a son attempting to help his dad while still supporting his current family. I sense a similar situation with Babyteeth it seem he is having a premise that may about the ending of the world but in fact its really about how this family interacts and reacts to this situation. Either way we can chalk this up as another major success for comics newest It writer Donny Cates. Read Full Review
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8.0
SnapPow.com - John McCubbin
Jun 09, 2017Baybyteeth #1 may be full of mystery, but it's intrigue and engaging narrative make it one worth picking up. The clever storytelling and use of narration also makes this an appealing tale, with the gritty art and ominous overtones being alluring to say the least. Read Full Review
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7.5
Graphic Policy - Ryan C. (trashfilmguru)
Jun 10, 2017All told, then, I'd have to say that I was reasonably impressed byBabyteeth #1. It didn't blow me away or anything, but I felt like I got my money's worth for my $3.99 (which I forked over out of pocket) and it set things up with enough style and panache to hook me for, at the very least, the short term. I'm not going to give it the longest leash in the world, but I have a reasonable amount of confidence that these quite good creators aren't going to strangle themselves with their own collective umbilical cord. Read Full Review
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7.0
Comics: The Gathering - stephengervais
Jun 06, 2017I wouldn't recommend rushing out and grabbing this one. We've seen this kind of story before, but Cates is a smart man and my opinion might completely change when the next few issues hit. Read Full Review
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7.0
ComicWow!TV - Huck Talwar
Jun 08, 2017This issue will definitely appeal to those of you who are into horror. It's a suspenseful story that I, personally, can't wait to find out more about. Babyteeth is definitely a series to keep up with. Read Full Review
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6.5
Doom Rocket - Brandy Dykhuizen
Jun 12, 2017We leave Sadie where we found her, pausing under a full moon a world away. Babyteeth is a front row seat to the approaching end of days via the lady who unleashed its catalyst. The story may be a touch familiar, but the delivery is open-ended enough to leave room for intrigue. Read Full Review
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6.0
Weird Science - Repairman Jack
Jun 10, 2017Interesting premise and story threads, but due to being what feels like a slimmed down TV pilot it's presented in a way that doesn't really do much beyond the cover or synopsis. This could go somewhere interesting, but we get no real idea of that in this first issue. Read Full Review
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6.0
SciFiPulse - Patrick Hayes
Jun 10, 2017This horrific tale is undercut by some disappointing visuals. I really wanted to like this, but the art was not for me. I'll go one more issue, but if it looks the same I'm out Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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9.5
This first issue was very exciting! Really made me want the second issue in my hands immediately after reading it. Great story!
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9.0
Finally catching up on yet another Donny Cates series. Great first issue! I'm excited for the rest.
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8.5
Intrigued...
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8.0
Not GodCountry and RedNeck...... Yet!
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7.0
Interesting but nothing groundbreaking.
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Babyteeth #1 by Donny Cates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
BABYTEETH
Written by:
Donny Cates
Art by:
Garry Brown
Produced by
: Aftershock Comics >
Rating:
5/5
Introduction
Sooooo this is the second piece of media I've consumed this week about the struggles of being a mother so I'm beginning to realise being a penis wielder has even more benefits then I first thought, one of these benefits being I don't have to deal with the chance of CONTRACTIONS SENDING EARTHQUAKES THROUGH THE BLOODY WORLD HOLY SHIT! So yeah, now that's out of the way I'm just gonna gush about how much I love Donny Cates as just by reading this I instantly want to buy every comic he's ever made! Okay now tangent over so I should proooobably maybe tell you what this issue is about to try and convince you to get it asap and become as engrossed in this developing world as I have. Well conveniently I have been lucky enough to have this synopsis for you right here:
Sadie Ritter is sixteen years old, nine months pregnant, and scared out of her sweet nerdy mind. Having a baby that young is tough, but with the support of her loving family behind her, everything should be okay. OH YEAH, and also her baby is the antichrist and it's going to break open the barriers between the earthly and demonic planes and unleash eternal suffering to all of humankind. Other than that, though...should be fine.
What do you get when you add a rosemary's baby esque situation (sans disgusting yucky Roman Polanski) + an air of mystery hooking you via an unreliable narrator teasing us with what's to come, splash that with the terrifying reality of being a pregnant teenager in a world where it is still seen in such a horrible light? You get a one-way ticket to the interest of nearly every comic and horror fanatic. Luckily, I can safely say this debut issue DE-LIV-ERS!!!!
Writing/Characters/themes
I think the opening hooks the reader in so well as instead of some grand double page splash battle or a page of world exploring exposition we focus on our main character and more importantly a mother, a mother who just wants to tell her child she loves him and give him answers. THIS is perfect it goes straight for our hearts and makes us fully root for Sadie Ritter before we even have a slither of her story. This kind of ability is what makes Donny Cates' writing stand out so much to me, below is an example of what I'm talking about which I will then elaborate on:
JUST HOW ADORABLE BUT SIMULTANIOUSLY HEARTBREAKING CAN ONE PAGE BE?!?! The fact Donny Cates adds the detail of her wanting to give her son the best video possible she takes the time to compose herself as not to scare him and restarts said video because she forgot her little boy doesn't even know who she is just ugh. It shows us immediately that Sadie is a good person who loves her son and due to the barren environment, we see her in and the fact she's making this message in the first place implies to us in the first few pages the connection Sadie has with her son is so strong she is willing to risk everything for them.
Following on from this I think the use of the story being told to us through Sadie's video, incorporating flashbacks, really helps to keep a quick pace with just enough so we are invested in the situation while still naturally skipping over details, like the father's identity, because people do tell stories in a mixed match way, so it further allows us to have that natural feeling. Following on from this the hints of these glossed over details are an incentive for the reader to continue this series and got me for one very hooked in.
Besides Sadie the only character who I can really think to talk about in this issue is her older sister Sadie, an absolute badass who seems to be involved in illegal activities like the drug trade, even though we don't find much out about her (I'm sure we will next issue) the fact both her and Sadie have gone down a path it would seem their parents didn't want them to gives us an interesting idea of what their childhood and relationship with their parents are like particularly considering we see at the end of the issue their father is a military man. These implicit details are what I love about comics nowadays, they treat their readers with the same intelligence one is expected to have when analysing a novel, the fact that this is the case in comics now makes me HOPE the mainstream media doesn't carry on writing it off as 'for children'
Finally, when it comes to the writing, I think it's great that even though this story, I'm sure, will develop into a horrific tale of satanic proportions this issue is full of happiness, humour and above all love. It would have been so so easy to make this some edgy, horrific grungy tale with no real substance *cough* Wanted by Mark Millar *cough*but instead we take the time to have a moment to laugh at little sweet moments like this:
This is just so accurate to what happens all the time and the mix of the truth Sadie is explaining in the video compared to the events in real life make for a very natural little bit of comedy. The main example I wanted to talk about regarding finding the positive, the love and the joy even in the midst of a terrible situation is this line "it means you saved the world in your very first breath." LIKE ISN'T THAT JUST THE SWEETEST MOTHERLY THING YOU'VE EVER HEARD?!?!? The labour of her baby boy resulted in her bleeding instead of breaking water, her DYING and every time she contracted an earthquake would rupture across the area at a bare minimum of 5.0 on the Richter scale and Sadie instead of seeing that as her son being evil and wrecking destruction looks at the fact all this horror stopped once he was born meaning in her perception Clark saved the world now THAT right there is more than just good writing, that is the ability to encapsulate a mothers love we all want to be enveloped in, the fact Donny Cates can do that in just one issue...beautiful.
Artwork/Colouring/Panel and Lettering Layout
OKOKOK now I can finally gush over some of my favourite panel layouts and interpretation of death I have seen in a comic book for a very veryyyy long time:
The utilisation of two distinct powerful colours, red representing danger and blood and possibly hell considering the red is only below her whereas the white could be a representation of purenes and holiness. Personally I see this as a representation of purgatory inbetween these two colours I see as heaven and hell which yeah just the fact just two colours has that kinda subtext only is just pretty bloody cool if I'm being honest. Also I like the fact the images do line up with the text, sounds like something obvious but you'd be surprised how many times it's done wrong, you believe that even in a place so different to what we see as reality Sadie in this page, like she says, does feel calm and this space away from literally everything else is almost tranquil in a way because she can just take a second and breathe. I think in all honesty this is my favourite page in the whole issue I just think it's beautiful and allows the reader to get a really cool interpretation of something no living person can see.
So, on the very next page (as seen above) Garry Brown comes in and gives us the terrifying image of what happens when the red, hell, death whatever the red is, comes to take you away. A tidal wave attacks Sadie which gets bigger and bigger hiding away nearly all the white from the page, but Sadie runs to the white and we get some FANTABULOUS panel layout work as the panels are separated by Sadie's heartbeat which is getting stronger and stronger the further away from the reds she is towards the light WHICH REPRESENTS HER COMING BACK TO LIFE OMG THIS ISSUE JUST MMMMMMM, I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
On a broader point I really like the curvy, loose sketchiness of the issue in the pencil work as it gave the book a more unique almost cartoonish style which isn't going for realism which is very muchto my taste, as well as that the designs make it easy to 1) differentiate the characters easily and 2) easy to understand what the characters are thinking and feeling duh to the exaggerated body language. You can really tell Heather is a strong intimidating Prescence from the hard, sharp lines on her face whereas Sadie's face is a lot simpler and less harsh making her have a kind, wholesome look. The inking may be a bit TOO rough for some people but personally I think its fine and even though the colouring for the most part seemed rather uninteresting it was more -
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2025 In Review:
