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“James Robinson” himself, being assigned the Airboy comic for a reboot

by Nick Eskey

For starters, this work is not for kids, and there might be a plot spoiler. With that out of the way, let’s review!

Airboy was originally made during the boom of super hero comics in the World War II era, where America dreamed of spandex clad heroes fighting not only super villains, but of the likes of Hitler and the entire Nazi army. One of the things that set him apart was that Airboy flew a plane with wings that flapped much like a bird’s. Even stranger, a Franciscan monk made both the plane and the superhero costume.

Aside from sharing the same name, that’s where the buck stops in this book. What we are instead given is a fast and illicit trip through one’s insecurities, and case of writer’s block.

Through the first few pages, it’s not the WWII flying ace that we see, but rather we are treated to a modern day man sitting on a toilet. Namely, we see writer “James Robinson” himself, being assigned the Airboy comic for a reboot. The story follows him, and later on artist Greg Hinkle, through a night of alcohol and drug fueled mayhem. Amid a wicked hangover, everything crescendos with a very “unlikely” visitor.

I must admit, it was weird seeing things from other end of the drawing board. Within the first couple of panels, confusion set in, and I read on wondering when this “Airboy” was going to make the scene. A number of pages later, all expectations of him and his flapping plane disappeared. I felt like some cardinal rule was getting broken. But as someone said some time long ago, rules are made to be broken.

The visuals reminded me a lot of “The Fifth Beatle” spliced with a Lewis Carroll drug trip. The use of solid colors as opposed to shading makes the art style unique

The story follows him, and later on artist Greg Hinkle, through a night of alcohol and drug fueled mayhemand pleasing to the eye. The drawing style is both clean and whimsical, making this story a fun and easy read.

Disregarding the art and the surprise twist at the end, the writing alone will keep any down to earth reader keep on reading. The frank, clear dialogue helps us relate to the characters it many ways, from their concerns and feelings, to the insane situations they are involved in.

All-in-all, I loved this story so far. It took me a few heartbeats to get passed my great confusion over the story title, but after that it was a good time. The humor and situations are very adult, so don’t be too shocked when you see male genitalia. Yup, you heard me.

This is a must read that should be picked up at your local retailer.

Airboy by Image Comics is available for sale as of today, June 3rd.

By Nick Eskey

Legendary Star Lord #1

Writer: Sam Humphries
Artist: Paco Madina & Juan Vlasco
Colorist: David Curiel
Cover: Paco Medina

Falling in line with the upcoming theatrical release of Guardians of the Galaxy, a couple of the team’s more likable (and perhaps a touch more scandalous) characters will also be seeing some center-stage comic debuts. The token human of the group happens to be one of those lucky two; Star Lord! Perhaps better known in the comic itself by his human name, the character Peter Quill will be appearing in his own reoccurring comic entitled Legendary Star Lord.

The comic does well as a first glance into the individual that is Star Lord; everything from childhood flashbacks, to skirmishes with ugly space pirates who will mostly likely never be seen from again, make an appearance. When we’re lead to believe that he’s nothing but looks, some selfishness, and a quick mouth, eventually we see a that underneath that bravado is actually a quick wit and a readiness for action; though he’s still quite selfish.

The art styling is very finely done. Paco Medina (pencilier), Juan Vlasco (inker), and David Curiel (colorist) all did a magnificent job in creating highly detailed characters. Everything from emotional outbursts to curves of bodies didn’t go unnoticed. It’s good to see that such attention has been placed in this comic. The backgrounds too were such highly polished sets for the events that take place. My big and only irk with the art was that much of the sceneries portrayed were nothing unique or special for the reader. Yes they were very well done, but haven’t we all seen a lone cemetery setting, or a standard spaceship before? Seeing as this is a first issue and reads much like an origin story, I’m hoping the proceeding issues will introduce readers to places they’ve never seen before.

Writer Sam Humphries does a good job to give a cursory glance at what is to follow, though I was somewhat reminded of the opening scene from the first Indiana Jones movie. And in regards to the writing, I couldn’t help but feel that the dialogues were also just that: cursory. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read some particularly painful dialogue in the past, and this is comic is nowhere near those. But I didn’t feel terribly satisfied that much of what the characters said added to, or further developed the overall visual story, but more or less spoke to what was already going on with the portrayed events and emotions.
Overall I’d say that this issue was a good start for the series that is to be. There are a few kinks that need to be ironed out, but nothing that can’t be solved once the comic gets some traction down the line. I personally would love to see what direction Humphries will take this character and his storyline into.

By Nicholas Eskey

ROCKET RACCOON #1

Writer, artist and cover: Skottie Young
Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu

When thinking of furry-anthropomorphic characters in comics, my mind for some twisted reason can’t stray from the darker side of the comic realm. But thankfully the only thing that happens to be foul about this certain long tailed raccoon is his mouth.

Rocket Raccoon, long time member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, has recently landed himself a posh gig in his own comic series. A planned reoccurring comic featuring a fuzzy scavenger that talks and fights with weapons beyond his own claws? Don’t be one of those to write it off without a first glance. After all, it’s not like we haven’t heard of such things as bunny rabbits with samurai swords, or a duck with a cigar and a dirty mind. In this reoccurring comic bolstering his own name, Rocket Raccoon is wonderfully drawn and told by Skottie Young. There is nothing I can personally say that is lacking in this first issue to the series

Where other comics are known to get deathly serious with their manner of dialogue, Young keeps the things light and simple, without the danger of it venturing into an episode of Barney the Dinosaur. The subject matter is very adult, but at the same time easy to follow along with. You’ll be glad to know that your dictionary can stay perched on its shelf, still caked with a layer of dust.

Skottie Young’s art style, which feels much like a polished version of a zany cartoon, matches the outlandish characters and storyline to a tee. Young manages the fine marriage of an old fashioned western (complete with pistols), and a “B movie” sci-fi outer space movie (who doesn’t love a “B movie” sci-fi flick?), with the leading man replaced by a womanizing, sailor talking woodland creature. Even the colors and shading, done by Jean-Francois Beaulieu, lends to the gritty, out of this world setting of the comic. I swear the man appears to be a master in the use of gradient in his backgrounds.
The outlandishness of the settings, the funny portrayals of both familiar and unfamiliar characters, the easy “laugh ready” dialogue, and the fitting use of colors makes this debut issue a must have in any comic lover or collector’s hoard. If this is any indication of what is to follow in the series, I hope they know that they at least have won over one eager reader. The second issue will be on sale August 6th of this year.