Airboy is a classic Golden Age hero - a young aviator who flies an airplane that flaps its wings like a bird. Most modern readers have fond memories of the Eclipse revival from the 1980s.
But writer James Robinson and artist Greg Hinkle have taken, shall we say, an unorthodox approach to the character.
Which is to say: instead of adventure stories about Airboy, they've created a semi-autobiographical story (or mostly tall tale) about their attempts to create a new Airboy comic for Image.
I'm really torn between the impulse to call this brilliant - and the urge to dismiss it as complete crap.
It feels like a '70s-style underground comic, as we follow the despairing creators as they go out for a night of debauchery - drugs, sex, more drugs, alcohol, and lots of male frontal nudity.
It's at the same time funny (both creators are good sports, poking fun at their own work and their reputations) and repulsive and clever.
So, your mileage may vary. One friend of mine raved about the book. I'm totally on the fence here.
I picked it up hoping for a new Airboy adventure. You won't see much of him here.
This is not a comic for kids or for the easily offended. It's a completely different approach to the storytelling process - you'll either love it or hate it.
Grade: B
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2 comments:
This book knocked my head off.
I know, right?
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