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:
   

The Secret Review

The Secret
Dark Horse Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
112 pages
$14.95 (2007)
ISBN 9781593078218

Contributors: Mike Richardson, Jason Shawn Alexander, and Clem Robins

Reprints: The Secret #1-4 (of 4)

Synopsis: Tommy Morris is not part of the in crowd.  He doesn't fit neatly into the fake high school social hierarchy and plans to skip town for college after graduation.  He somehow gains the attention of the very popular Pam who is attracted to his attitude and sick of the jock/cool guy mentality.  Tommy is invited to a party at Pam's house and all the kids are playing a prank phone call game.  

They call up a random number and tell the person who answers "I know your secret".  The prank backfires when a truly disturbed individual answers the phone and now the kids are the target.  When Pam goes missing all fingers point at loner outcast Tommy.  Can he clear his name and save Pam in time?

Pros: Painted art by Alexander is well done (reminiscent of Bill Sienkiewicz), Richardson's story is spot on for genre piece

Cons: Predictable

Mike Tells It Straight: Essentially an I Know What You Did Last Summer premise - excellently done by Richardson and Alexander.  It reads like a movie pilot and could easily be translated to the big screen with little or no differences.  Story itself is somewhat interesting, but mostly predictable.  It's a well done genre piece (teen thriller) and leaves opening for a sequel.

TO BUY and Recommendations:
   

The Nail Review

The Nail
Dark Horse Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
96 pages
$14.95 (2005)
ISBN 9781593071738

Contributors: Steve Niles, Rob Zombie, Nat Jones, Jay Fotos, Nate Piekos, and Simon Bisley

Reprints: The Nail #1-4 (of 4)

Synopsis: Over-the-hill semi-pro wrestler Rex "The Nail" Hauser goes on a camping trip with his family, manager, and another wrestlin' buddy outside the scenic town of Devil's Hills.  Things take a turn for the horrific when they are beset by a legion of bikers-from-hell acting out a curse related to the Salem witch trials.  Their only hope is the badass-ness of Rex and his buddy along with a tourist book they pick up telling the story of the Devil's Hills.  Can Rex protect his family and survive the most unholy night of his life?

Pros: Opening scene of guy with girl at make-out point has great dialogue, nudity, covers by Bisley, likable characters and gruesome bad guys

Cons: One-dimensional story and characters, art is weak/unpolished, typos in issues 2 & 3

Mike Tells It Straight: Simple and straightforward horror movie fare from two master creators in the genre.  They deliver a creepy story with good characters and some nice moments.  The art is crude and the editor missed two glaring typos, but overall a successful effort for what it is - a gory slash-fest with demon/zombie monsters.  Take it at face value or not at all.

TO BUY and Recommendations:
   

Demo Review

Demo
AiT/Planet Lar
Softcover Trade Paperback
328 pages
$19.95 (2005) $24.99 (2008)
ISBN 9781932051421

Contributors: Brian Wood, Becky Cloonan, and Ryan Yount

Reprints: Demo #1-12 (of 12)

Synopsis: Twelve stories about unusual young people.  They include:

1. NYC - A girl and her boyfriend dream of escaping to New York, but she takes medication to hold back dangerous psychic powers
2. Emmy - A young girl works a terrible job at a gas station.  She is an outcast and deathly afraid of talking - people do whatever she says with potentially tragic, catastrophic results
3. Bad Blood - A girl attends her father's funeral and is reunited with her half brother.  He wants to share a family secret which will change her life forever
4. Stand Strong - A young man grew up in a rough, industrial town.  He got in trouble with the law, but now works at his father's factory.  His friends are still up to no good and need his special ability to pull off their latest theft
5. Girl You Want - A girl is perceived as the physical manifestation of what those around her desire.  She feels lost amidst the gaze of others, but finally meets someone who 'sees' the real her
6. What You Wish For - A boy growing up in the suburbs feels like an outcast because he's the only Asian kid.  One day he snaps and unleashes an unholy fury
7. One Shot, Don't Miss - A soldier has the ability to never miss a target, but doesn't want to kill.  What does he do when his family back home is counting on him
8. Mixtape - A boyfriend finds his girlfriend dead and a mixtape with "For You" on it next to her body.  He plays it and her spirit comes back to spend the day with him.  They rehash their relationship and what led up to her death
9. Breaking Up - A couple meet over coffee to finally break up and review their relationship through the good times and bad
10. Damaged - A successful young businessman meets a homeless girl on the street who knows all about his life.  He investigates further to see if she's for real and tragedy strikes
11. Midnight to Six - Three friends made a childhood vow to remain slackers for life.  Now they are young adults working the midnight shift cleaning a department store.  Two of the three have grown up, but the third can't let go of the past.  Their friendship is about to end
12. Mon Dernier Jour Avec Toi (My Last Day with You) - Two lovers spend their last night together before jumping off a roof + a story written by Becky Cloonan with art by Brian Wood

Pros: Done-in-one short stories allow almost instantaneous access from any point within the series, Cloonan's art is interesting and she experiments with different styles, Wood gives us simple themes and messages for each story, nominated for an Eisner award - best limited series

Cons: Black and white, somewhat amateurish (most likely on purpose = indie), art is a bit simple/crude at times

Mike Tells It Straight: Wood and Cloonan give us a set of simple stories focusing mostly on teens with extraordinary powers, but also a few with common young adult situations playing out.  The book is pure indie in black and white with all the angsty teen stuff you would expect.  It received a lot of praise and spawned a second series published by DC.  If you're curious to check out an indie book and dig young adult themes then this series is perfect.

TO BUY and Recommendations: