Faust: Love of the Damned
 (2000)
review by Head Cheeze

Back in the early 1990's I owned a chain of comic book stores, and our special niche' was the fact that we sold virtually every comic book being published at that time. While most of our competition was dealing with the mainstream Marvel and DC stuff, we took chances on books from indie publishers and small press companies like Fantagraphics, Image (who was small at the time!), Cry for Dawn, and a company called Northstar. Northstar sent us a book called Faust, an uber-violent and graphically sexual "comic" that, for it's time, was the most offensive book on the market. Picture the most hardcore anime tentacle rape fest combined with the most over the top violence you can imagine, and you still wouldn't be ready for Faust. Of course, the comic became an underground sensation and, after the success of The Crow film adaptation, the rumors of a Faust film began to circulate. Well, just over a decade later here it is, for better or worse, courtesy of director Brian Yuzna and his Fantasy Factory production company.

John Jasper (Frost) is a painter whose beloved girlfriend is killed by the Russian mafia. Jasper is so distraught that he considers taking his own life when the mysterious M (Divoff) offers him a chance to avenge his fallen lover in exchange for Jasper's immortal soul. Jasper accepts, and is rewarded with a big set of claws and a satanic license to kill, which he uses to the fullest on those responsible for his girl's death. Jasper is caught by Lt. Dan Margolies (Combs) while killing on M's behalf. Jasper has a chance to kill Margolies, but defies M's power over him and is sent to a mental hospital where a beautiful psychologist named Jade (Brook) takes an interest in his case. Soon she discovers the dark secret behind Jasper's madness, and Jasper falls in love with her. When M finds out that his newest disciple no longer wants to work for him, he banishes Jasper to hell, and sends his goons to kidnap Jasper's new love. Jasper's will and love for Jane helps him break free from hell and resurface as Faust, the demon avenger who is all that stands between M and hell on Earth.

Faust the comic book and Faust the movie are, remarkably, quite similiar. The uncut DVD version from Lion's Gate is actually one of the most violent flicks I've seen in some time, and has it's share of nudity and some pretty graphic sex scenes, which fans of the comic book will be glad to hear. The special effects are also quite well done, considering the film's miniscule budget. As a matter of fact, I was quite entertained with the film until the last half-hour, in which it seems everything just completely falls apart and culminates in an ending that is so abrupt it's as if Yuzna ran out of film. This is a shame, since, as far as comic book to film adaptations are concerned, the first hour of Faust is rigidly faithful to the source material, and while it isn't in league with megabucks flicks like Spiderman or Blade, the low-budget results preserve the independent spirit of the comic book.

The DVD features a commentary by Yuzna, as well trailers for Faust, and four other Lion's Gate horror films, but nothing more, so this DVD is pretty much a purchase for die-hard Faust or Yuzna fans. Had the film's final act lived up to the first hour this could have been a damned cool flick, but instead it's only a mildly successful distraction.