Dr. Blink, Superhero Shrink: Id, Ego, Superego!, Vol. 1 (Dork Storm) [collects #0-3]
w. John Kovalic; a. Christopher Jones
| Writing |  |
New reader? | |
| Art |  |
Non-comics reader? | |
The idea of a psychiatrist who treat super-heroes is rife with possibilities, and Kovalic manages to hit successfully on most of them here, usually using carefully modified surrogates for “actual” (i.e., copyrighted) heroes and villains. But rather than just a gag book, Kovalic tried to also set up a functioning superhero world and a story line for Dr. Blink as well. This muddles the results a bit, though providing more depth to the whole shebang. A non-comics reader wouldn’t get a lot of the gags, but might enjoy the irreverence of the tone toward standard superhero tropes.
Jones art is simple and serviceable. The book also has some interesting essays on the creation fo the book, and a mini-sourcebook for Mutants & Masterminds for the heroes it spotlights; true geeky joy.
I’m not sure whether sales were disappointing or if Kovalic got pulled off in other directions, but I wish there were more issues than just this.
Dork Tower: Dork Decade, Vol. 9 (Dork Storm)
w/a John Kovalic
| Writing |  |
New reader? | |
| Art | |
Non-comics reader? | |
This book is a decade-long retrospective of Dork Tower, including all the strips published in Shadis and Dragon magazines. While many of these have been published before (yes, the “Hey, Marcia! Come and see the Satanist!” strip is here), everything is in color and the geek/gaming humor is still fresh and enjoyable. Many of the strips also have reference notes in the back (I’d have preferred them on-page).
Great stuff. I’d recommend any of the numerous DT trades out there, but this volume provides a light, strip-oriented introduction.
(listening to: Shore, Howard, “Foundations Of Stone” from LOTR2: Two Towers)
(listening to: Blondie, “Call Me” from Billboard Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits – 1980)
(listening to: Ma, Yo-Yo & Amsterdam Baroque Soloists, “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” from “No Music, No Life” Sampler 1999)
(listening to: “Hub 7” from Unreal)