The Pro. Review

The Pro.
Image Comics
Graphic Novel
56 pages
$5.95 (2002) OGN
80 pages
$14.95 (2004) Hardcover
$7.99 (2007) Softcover
ISBN 9781582408507

Contributors: Garth Ennis, Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Paul Mounts

Synopsis: A hooker is granted super powers.  She's a struggling mom with an infant son and walks the streets at night to make ends meet.  One morning she wakes up with powers and gets recruited into a super team uncannily similar to the Justice League. 

They are shocked and appalled by her behavior during superhero fights and back at the lair.  She calls them hypocrites for perpetuating inane superpowered battles while completely ignoring everyday problems in society. 

Pros: Signature offensive comedy by Ennis, decent art by Conner, hilarious concept, some very funny situations, mild nudity and a superhero mystery solved - "What if Superman got head?"

Cons: She is not a good mother, some jokes are in very poor taste - be warned!  Why is there a period at the end of The Pro.?

Mike Tells It Straight: Ennis crafts a superhero satire piece meant to offend and amuse in equal measures.  Remimiscent of Hitman in terms of cartoony art, but mature sexual themes akin to Preacher.  His lampooning of the JLA is particularly funny and this book is a quick laugh.  You'll need a high tolerance for crude humor and it still may not be enough. 

Quick note on editions - the first edition of this (back in 2002) was a regular graphic novel and had a few reprints.  The 2004 edition is an oversized hardcover with a bonus backup story "The Pro meets The Ho" and 2007 was softcover with the backup story included.  Yes, you want the newer edition with the backup story, but buy the paperback version (the hardcover is rare and goes for serious $$$ these days) 






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