These, perhaps, don’t count as “comics” in the super-heroic DC/Marvel sense — but what the heck. Penny Arcade is a damned funny online comic, and their recent expansion into print publication of their back issues (complete with copious and amusing notes) has been most welcome.
Penny Arcade: The Warsun Prophecies, Vol. 3 (Dark Horse) [collects 2002]
w. Jerry Holkins; a. Mike Krahulik
| Writing |  | New reader? | |
| Art | | Non-comics reader? |  |
Penny Arcade: Birds are Weird, Vol. 4 (Dark Horse) [collects 2003]
w. Jerry Holkins; a. Mike Krahulik
| Writing | | New reader? | |
| Art | | Non-comics reader? | |
Though they focus mostly the video gaming industry, Gabe and Tycho tackle everything from genre movies and TV to comics to pretty much whatever else pops into their heads. Their sense of humor is something of an acquired taste, bitter in its hilarity, like licking chocolate-covered razor blades. Even where you don’t understand what a strip is about (even with the commentary), it’s still usually interesting. Unless you have utterly no knowledge of or interest in video games, you’ll probably find a few chuckles, several winces, and a coughing fit in each of these volumes.
Promethea, Book 5 (ABC) [collects #26-32]
w. Alan Moore; a. J.H. Williams III
| Writing | | New reader? |  |
| Art |  | Non-comics reader? | |
Moore wraps up his “Apocalyptic Series” with, appropriately, the end of the world, and the unexpected birth of the new one. As with the entire series, everything is a mix of edgy straight-up adventure, interesting social structure, and utterly bizarro mysticism. Moore pulls in some of his other ABC heroes, like Tom Strong, which trikes an almost incongruous contrast to the sophistication of the Sophie/Promethea pairing. Then things get really weird, before they get kind of normal, until the final issue which … which …
Dude — that must be most excellent acid. I’m sure it’s all terribly important and profound, but my head just went all loopy every time to read any of it, so I’ll just nod and say, “Far out.”
Williams on pencils and paints does a fabulous job. Mick Gray on inks, Jose Villarrubia and Jeromy Cox on colors, and Todd Klein on design, all deserve a mention for a visually stunning collection.
I sure hope someone got the message that Moore was trying to get across here, because … well … I didn’t. But I more or less enjoyed the ride.
(listening to: Webber, Andrew Lloyd & Tim Rice, “What’s the Buzz” from Jesus Christ Superstar)
(listening to: Backyardigans, “Please and Thank you” from The Adventure Begins)
(listening to: O’Connor, Sinéad, “Why Don’t You Do Right ?” from Am I Not Your Girl?)
(listening to: Birmingham Symphony, “End title” from Henry V)
(listening to: Carroll, Edward (Trumpet), William Neil (Organ), Alcock “Voluntary in D – Vivace” from For Their Majesties’ Pleasure & Delight)
(listening to: Baez, Joan, “The Cherry Tree Carol” from Vol. 2)
Promethea: the last episode is two paintings of Promethea, dissassembled, with the dramatized lessons of the series presented in esoteric language. It is the word “yes,” expanded — metaphorically — or the phrase “I am.” Kinda dull but very pretty.
I’ll agree with the “very pretty” part. It was quite gorgeous. Just … not … entertaining or, to my limited intellect and understanding, illuminating.
I met the Penny Arcade guys! They were at an autograph session with Scott Kurtz a few months ago.
Coolness.