Abe Sapien #1
Writer: Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
Artist: Sebastian Fiumara
Publisher: Dark Horse
This first issue is the start of a three part series named Dark and Terrible. The last time we saw Abe Sapien self-titled was back in 2011 with The Devil Does Not Jest. I really enjoy the world Mignola has created, but with this first issue I am not so sure about this arc. It was a lot of jumbled information to soak up, and I am not sure where Mike and Scott are heading with this story.
Reading through this first issue felt like a task to me. I am sure all of the information thrust at me will make sense as the arc reveals more, but this issue had too much jumping around and too many loose ends. It was a lot to introduce in a first issue without much explanation, and I didn’t like being jerked among the many characters. The last few pages really livened up, and this series might save itself with the chase to catch Abe Sapien, but I feel that I am missing too much information for this story to work.
The next two months will release issues #2 and #3, and I may keep an eye on it to review it at the end of the series. I enjoy Mignola’s style and storytelling, but the art couldn’t save this issue for me. I’ve put Abe on the back burner for now and I don’t know if I’ll come back to it. I am giving Abe Sapien 2 out of 5 Nerdskulls.
Super Dinosaur #18
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Jason Howard
Publisher: Image
A comic that I hold near and dear to my heart is Atomic Robo and Dr. Dinosaur is one of my favorite villains; his personality is and witty remarks are laugh-out-loud funny. I wanted another cool dinosaur in my life, so fingers crossed hoping Super Dinosaur would be that reptile. I’m sure you know Robert Kirkman from his writing with The Walking Dead or Invincible comics, or maybe his twisted universe of the Marvel Zombies. Super Dinosaur’s action-packed cover caught my attention right away, and I knew I was in for an adventure.
This series has a family tone to it, like the genre of Adventure Time, but I still enjoyed it. I love how Super Dinosaur is a character with human qualities, which makes him relatable and fun to read about. It cracks me up that he has his tiny arms controlling this robot body of his, and I love the teamwork between Super Dinosaur and Derek. In this issue, Derek and Doc Dynamo go to rescue Juliana, in hopes that Derek will remember that she is his mother. With no avail, Doc keeps Maximus under his watch. Even though this is a comic for a younger audience, the comic still has honest characters with truthful moments. There is a scene where Doc is talking to comatose Maximus, and the emotion conveyed in the scene is very powerful. I enjoyed reading this issue, and I can see why it is so likable among a varied audience.
The art is simple, but it works, and the characters and story move along nicely. I had a lot of fun reading this issue, and I look forward to the story progression from here. I am giving Super Dinosaur 4.5 out of 5 Nerdskulls.
