Comic Review:
KICK-ASS #1

By Kyle Yentzer

     Before I get serious I’ve gotta get serious and mention that this book “should” carry a parental warning. It’s definitely not for younger readers with language and violence levels catering to the more mature comic readers. With that said, I feel that my civic duties as a semi responsible, quasi respectable contributor are fulfilled. As a lifetime comic reader I have to say I’m surprised this book hasn’t been written before. Leave it to a small imprint comic to outthink the older, house of ideas brother that got it started in the first place. It all started with a question, one that we’ve all had; that the comics’ main character vocalizes. Why is it that no one runs around dressed like and acting like super heroes? As a kid I remember putting on my wolverine mask and my gauntlets with the retractable adamantium claws and waiting in the trees for evil doers to pass by. There were days spent running around the house yelling flame on with the neighbors staring stupidly and wondering whose house was on fire. Sure we all fantasize about becoming the heroes we read about in our comic books or see in the movies. But what would happen if we actually put on a cape or strapped ourselves to jet pack out of the Rocketeer? Well, this book is all about the beat downs, broken bones and property damage that would ensue.

     While the book may have snuck up on you, Kick-Ass was conceived by two of Marvels (and the industries) biggest and brightest stars. Maybe you’ve heard of a little event known as Civil War. Could be you’ve never even heard of the green goliath and his big hitter World War Hulk. Well suffice it to say, if you haven’t heard of these events you might as well stop reading the review now and head to Hollywood because you belong in a Romero flick. Yep, that’s right Kick-Ass is the brain child of Mark Miller and John Romita Jr. The writer and artist of Marvels Civil War and World War Hulk, respectively; teaming up for a comic that personifies our deepest hopes and desires of becoming super heroes. How did this book avoid your radar you ask? Well for starters it’s a Marvel imprint, which means it lacks the marketing clout of its parent company and relies simply on its own means. The team behind the comic decided their best bet was to go guerilla with their marketing campaign and assault youtube and myspace with all the force they could muster. They released a short video on youtube entitled Kick Ass Caught on Camera that got a lot of response from the comic buying public and sparked interest.

     Mark Millar really is at the top of his game for Kick-Ass. He makes you feel like the main character, Dave Lizewski is you; the average everyman who grew up reading comics and fantasizing about becoming a super hero like the ones he reads about in his comics. He’s made the dialog relevant and ties it into pop culture making the setting not that of a world like ours, but that of our world. Dave could be your next door neighbor or your best friend from High School. He listens to the Goo Goo Dolls and Snow Patrol, watches Scrubs and fantasizes about his biology teacher Mrs. Zane.  Dave has problems with girls, lost his mother to an aneurysm and plays video games. He hasn’t had a traumatic life, wasn’t beaten and hasn’t been bitten by radioactive spider; as exciting as that sounds. He’s just your average Joe. You can tell Miller really loves writing the book that he created; as the pace and timing of the dialog and internal monologue really keep the book moving along nicely. Dave and his friends discuss comic book movies and their believability and rave about the quality of Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men book.

     As good as the writing is in the book, the art does have its set backs. Don't get me wrong, John Romita Jr’s art is fantastic and he can choreograph a fight scene that rivals any ones. The problem is that the concept of the book is so closely tied to reality and grounded in the here and now that the art just doesn’t do it justice. The art is great for what it is, but lacks the punch of stark realism that someone like McNiven, Larocca or Eaton could have provided. However, the hard lines and gritty edge of Romita’s work do have their advantages and make the book drastic visually. We can thank our lucky stars Romita’s faces aren’t as absurd and comical as our favorite editor in chief Joe Queersada’s work in One More Day. If I had to read another comic where the characters all look constipated I would shoot myself. The colors are murky and surreal, drowning the idea that this book could be grounded in anything but reality. The real saving grace is that McNiven and  Romita Jr. have that “IT” factor that is commonly attributed to classic comic runs. Runs where the artist just seems to put on paper exactly what the writes intends and the dialog and art go hand in hand as if the writer and the artist are the same person; ala Frank Millers work in 300 or The Dark Knight Returns.

     After having waited patiently (or impatiently, depending on who you ask), I have to say Kick-Ass was definitely worth the wait. The overall concept and presentation is refreshing and innovative. It reminds us of times gone by and possibilities not yet, or never to be realized. For any of you who spent time in your youth fantasizing about fighting crime in a mask, cowl or cape; slicing and dicing your enemies with adamantium blades, or saving the world one web shooter at a time, this book was written for you.  9 out of  10…Instant classic!

EDITORS NOTE: THE FIRST ISSUE OF KICK-ASS IS SOLD OUT BUT MARVEL HAS DECIDED TO GO TO A SECOND PRINT WHICH SHOULD ARRIVE BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH! - mbm