Todd & the Book of Pure Evil - Todd, the Metal God

Todd, the Metal God is the introductory episode of Todd & the Book of Pure Evil, where a rather seemingly useless teenager and his equally not-so-bright stoner pal, Curtis, soon join forces with science wiz, Hannah, and goth chick, Jenny. Jenny is currently dating jock rock star, Stuart (Marc Devigne), typical star quarterback prick with the looks and nice car. Jenny on his arm is the ideal eye candy Todd so desires. In a “battle of the bands” contest, Stuart’s band easily appears the most talented while Todd and Curtis can’t even make the cut due to their tin-eared, out-of-tune sounds. Embarrassed (as he should be), Todd laments his crisis of non-talent, soon encouraged by a trio of heavy metal smokers hanging around outside the school (they question if Todd is “the one”) to pursue the answer he stands in need of, soon finding the Book of Pure Evil in a trophy case in Crowley High! Jimmy, the janitor (Jason Mewes of Jay & Silent Bob), to be the show’s mentor for Todd, offering advice despite being what many might consider a bit too irresponsible for such a role, agrees to open the trophy case in exchange for his pocket money! The Book of Pure Evil indeed does provide Todd with the necessary talent to strum the guitar with authority and fury and soon he’s vanquishing Stuart who bleeds from his ass (as Todd proclaimed he would!). It isn’t that Todd is better than Stuart (that was obvious earlier) but the Book’s power that befalls Jenny’s unfortunate boyfriend. While Stuart is lying in a puddle of his own ass blood, Todd begins to replace him on the band (his band name with Curtis was Barbarian Apocalypse!) and the Book starts to overtake his mind, body, and soul. Meanwhile, Jenny makes it her mission to get the book and find her missing father, but the forces of the Book have cast its spell over Todd. Curtis, after being ditched by Todd for Stuart’s band, is the ideal ally for Jenny (stuffed in a locker by possessed Todd). The two of them will need to move fast and come up with a game plan because Todd and Barbarian Apocalypse are playing the kind of metal number sure to leave the crowd “bleeding”. This is a unique jam, with blood coming out of all orifices. The horror black and white makeup job on possessed Todd is badass as is the Book-styled guitar. The use of heavy metal is a constant throughout the series, and as Atticus, Sr. prescribes to his son, the school’s guidance counselor (miserable in the job), the Book preys on those who are the most vulnerable…that is the motor of the show. Todd is luckier than most…he lived to see another day! Hannah being infatuated with Todd is weird considering her bond with Curtis, particularly in the second season when the two were a high school couple. Todd’s flirting and attempts to win Jenny continue all the way to the end of the series…and Jenny only buckles at the very end!