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The
Seven Guys of Justice
Or, Is It Possible to Take a Comedy Superhero
Team Seriously?
Review by: Trey
Stone
More info at: http://www.7guysofjustice.com
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You know, the concept of the superhero, when it comes down
to it, is an inherently silly one. Dress up in tights with
your underwear outside, or if you're a woman, in something
that shows off the boobs well (nothing wrong with that), and
go kick the crap out of the evil doers that the cops miss,
or can't handle. In the real world, it would be strange, until
said superhero proved their competence, then they would be
regarded as a menace. In the world of comics, they are taken
oh so seriously. When it works, it works well. When it doesn't,
which is most of the time, (most superhero comics nowadays
suck, Ellis is correct on that. Spawn, anyone?), it blows.
It is sometimes funny. Cringe inducing, yes, but funny nonetheless.
Oh yes, the world is about to be destroyed, characters will
perish, and the world will be fundamentally different, until
the next big crossover rolls around. Aren't you tired of that?
I am. Every now and then, though, someone tries to be funny
on PURPOSE with superheroes. And when done well, it is a scream.
Giffen's JLA, Ambush Bug, Legion of Substitute
Heroes, Mystery Men, Blue Devil, The
Mask, and the film The Specials all see the comedic
possibilities, and take full advantage.
The latest to see that and to take that approach is The
Seven Guys of Justice, from independent publishers False
Idol Studios (www.7guysofjustice.com).
It is their pilot book and clearly a labor of love. Let's
meet the crew, shall we? Ostensibly, the team leader is Lord
Talon, who is winged, rich, and amazingly stupid, and reveals
it by being very talkative. There's Johnny Explode, the young
bomb flinging martial artist who inherited his abilities from
his father. The brains are provided by Ugly Monkey, who was
Russel Hinkley, brilliant scientist whose personality was
put into the body of a monkey. He has a bit of an attitude
problem, and is VERY bitter about his condition. The "Batman"
figure on the team is the mysterious Hunter-Gatherer, whom
we still know very little about. Some of the muscle is provided
by the beautiful and chronically underdressed redheaded fighting
female, Nightie Knight. Some outsider perspective is supplied
by the Fishman-out-of -water, Moray Earl. And finally, the
newest recruit is the completely powerless, but somehow still
valuable, The Surprise. The team is based in Big City, a metropolis
deeply based in superhero tradition.
The writing on this book is first rate, is very funny, but
at the same time seems to actually go somewhere, which is
very rare for a book like this. The last time I saw this,
in fact was with an obscure sword and sorcery indie book from
the 80s. Anyone remember The Dungeoneers, or
am I the only one? (Trust me, it was great book.) Brian Joines,
the writer, is very familiar with comic convention, and seems
to know how to twist them for comedic/offbeat effect, sort
of like Alan Moore's work on Top 10, or Bendis on Powers,
to a lesser extent.
The villains we have been introduced to include long time
Big City Menace, Doctor Julian Jerque, The Beaver Collective,
Bad Art (who is a Stick figure), and an other dimensional
armored Doom-esque super genius that the team was able to
confront by a super powered compatriot who has the ability
to surf parallel worlds through pie. Yes, pie.
Some may complain about Joshua Rowe's art, and it is relatively
primitive looking. But it helps move the story along, and
it has a look which suits the serious/comedic duality of this
book just right. I mean, super types like Mr. Happy Jet Pack?
Lazy Eye Guy? Two bucks an issue?
I kid you not. Four bananas. Stoney says check it out.
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