The Complete Major Bummer Super Slacktacular Review

The Complete Major Bummer Super Slacktacular
Dark Horse Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
384 pages
$29.99 (2011)
ISBN 9781595825346

Contributors: John Arcudi, Doug Mahnke, Tom Nguyen, and Carla Feeny

Reprints: Major Bummer #1-15 (of 15)

Synopsis: Lou Martin goes from 90-pound slacker weakling to 400-pound slacker studmuffin overnight thanks to the meddling of two alien college students.  They're studying the phenomena of superheroes in Earth culture and imbue a group of ordinary humans with extraordinary powers.  Unfortunately, they're completely inept and give Lou powers instead of Martin Louis, young lawyer and philanthropist.

Now Lou is saddled with an incredible physique, genius-level intellect (only accessible through his subconscious mind because he is so lazy), amazing recuperative powers, and uncanny magnetism for trouble.  All he wants to do is play video games and drink Mountain Dew Code Red, while the other folks similarly granted powers attempt to recruit him into their half-baked superhero plans. 

Even worse, the aliens take offense when Lou won't give back the powers they gave him (because it would kill him) and grant a bunch of low-life criminals powers so they can kick his ass!

Pros: Great writing/art by Arcudi/Mahnke in every single issue, funny premise, good characters/humor, lots of extras including sketchbook

Cons: Main character is not entirely compelling, self-contained since it's a creator-owned book with zero DCU interaction

Mike Tells It Straight: Originally published by DC Comics in the late 1990s this short-lived series finally gets a collected edition over ten years later.  Arcudi and Mahnke put a lot of effort into this cult favorite, but it just never achieved a sustainable level of sales to keep going.  I believe its creator-owned status and lack of interaction with the rest of the DCU really killed the book during a time when superhero hype was at its highest.  Comedy is incredibly hard to accomplish in comics (despite the name!) and this book was genuinely funny.


TO BUY and Recommendations: