Written by Jim Zubkavich
Illustrated by Edwin Huang & Misty Coats“ONE THOUSAND OPAS AND A DEAD BODY,” Part Five
Rampaging army of the demonic dead? Check.
Witty banter amidst a wild chase scene? Check.
Brain-busting action climax? Check.See how the first story arc of Image Comics’ hit new action-comedy series wraps up in this head-smashing comic maelstrom.
Fantasy just got its head kicked in.
The first arc of this series has been wildly entertaining, and the last issue of it is now here. Can our unnamed heroes take down a massive demon and his hordes? I’m sure, but the end result isn’t as important as the journey is.
Find out what I thought of this issue after the jump.
Also, if you missed out on this arc, I highly suggest jumping in come March when Image is releasing the first trade for just $9.99. It’s highly recommended. Check out more at the Skullkickers site.
Comic fans are a fickle bunch. There are some fans out there who cannot enjoy a comic unless it’s connected to some sort of long reaching continuity or “matters” in some way.
Skullkickers is not a comic for those fans. It’s in its own world, it just tells an action/adventure/comedy story, and you don’t even get the names of the main characters in the first five issues.
So who is it for?
Skullkickers is a comic for people who want to enjoy their reading experience. This comic is pound-for-pound more entertaining than pretty much any comic on the market, as writer Jim Zubkavich takes his two “heroes” and puts them into situation after situation that they have to con or fight their way out of, all the while packing each of them with more personality and humor than any book has any right to be.
This issue finds the two leads trying to make their way out of the undead apocalypse alive while saving the world from the demon overlord who has come to life thanks to their tongueless sorcerer nemesis (who provides a lot of the fun thanks to his inability to enunciate). One of my favorite things that Zubkavich does is surround most of these action sequences with a peanut gallery comprised of the hilarious townfolk, always quick on commentary and high on entertainment level.
Just because I say this book is a standalone one and just because I say it’s one that is super entertaining and action packed does not mean Zubkavich isn’t developing an overarching story. This issue actually sets the stage for the major villain of the story and the status quo of our heroes as the “skullkickers.” It’s a great issue to transition into the bulk of the story.
Edwin Huang and Misty Coats continue to combine to bring Zubkavich’s story to life with equal energy and entertainment value. The visuals bring their own bits of fun to the story, and this issue is filled with tons of great action and opportunity to shine for the art team. They take those opportunities and run with them with their clean lines, effective storytelling, and highly kinetic style.
One thing I really love, and I’m not sure if these bits are from Zubkavich or the art team, is the usage of hilariously literal onamonapias. Instead of saying traditional comic book onamonapias of “pow!” or “boom!” or things of that sort, they literally say “gallop” when a horse gallops and “skull kick” when someone…kicks a skull. It’s fantastic.
If you’re missing out on Skullkickers, you’re missing out on one of the best times in comics. With next issue featuring Brian Clevinger and Chris Sims (aka “The ISB”) on writing duties (amongst others), I’m even more excited for next month. Buy this book America, or the next to be skull kicked could be you (probably not).
Final Verdict: 9.0 – Buy
