RASL #1

March 1, 2008

RASL #1 (Cartoon Books)
By Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith, creator of the legendary Bone saga, makes his return to an ongoing comic book with the first issue of RASL. While Bone was a fantasy adventure, and very suitable for all-ages, RASL is a far more adult science fiction-themed title about an art thief who accomplishes his crimes with the help of a machine that allows him to leap between dimensions. This first issue is intriguing — it introduces us to the main character and sets up the basic premise, but opens up dozens of questions. Who is this man? Why is he stealing paintings. Where did he get his device and how does it work? What, exactly, does his tag “RASL” mean? This is a really good set-up issue, and with Smith‘s unblemished track record (Bone was sheer brilliance, and last year’s Shazam!: Monster Society of Evil miniseries rocked on every level), I’ve got all the confidence in the world that he’ll make this a thrilling ride as well.
Rating: 8/10

Cartoon Network Action Pack #1

May 8, 2006

Quick Rating: Average
Title: Double Dutch Death Valley and other stories

New tales of Samurai Jack, the Powerpuff Girls and Megas XLR!

Writers: Robbie Busch, Abby Denson & George Krstic
Pencils: Mark Chiarello, Christopher Cook & Matthew I. Jenkins
Inks: Mark Chiarello, Mike DeCarlo & Jeff Albrecht
Colors: Mark Chiarello & Heroic Age
Letters: Nick J. Napolitano
Editor: Joan Hilty
Cover Art: Matthew Jenkins & Mike DeCarlo
Publisher: DC Comics/Johnny DC

I should say up front that I’m not a regular viewer of any of the Cartoon Network shows that have made the grade in the new Action Pack title (a companion to the comedy series in Cartoon Network Block Party), but reading the stories in this issue doesn’t really instill in me an urge to go out and check out the shows either. None of them are terrible, they’re just not for me.

“Double Dutch Death Valley,” by Robbie Busch and Mark Chiarello, fronts this issue with Samurai Jack wandering into the desert, hoping to find a portal that will send him back to his own time. Instead, he wanders into a trap set by Aku and baited with innocent children. I don’t know if Samurai Jack is really suited to the short-short story required for an anthology book. I feel like this could have been a really good story if Busch had more pages to flesh it out. I’m also not sure about Chiarello’s art – like I said, I’m not a regular viewer of the show, but I don’t think the approach he tries here really fits the usual style, which is what you look for in these cartoon-based comics.

Denson and Cook are next up with “Anything Boys Can Do Squirrels Can Do Better,” an adventure of the Powerpuff Girls’ arch-rivals, the Rowdyruff Boys. The Boys, who evidently missed the memo informing them that, as the villains, they will always lose, challenge the girls to a football game. Things are looking up, however, until a really bizarre Deus Ex Machina swoops in and wins the game for them.

The Megas XLR story “Speed Limit,” by George Krstic and Jeff Albrecht, rounds out the issue. This is the property I’ve had the least exposure to before this issue, and ironically, I think it’s the best story. When the Megas gets snared by a mysterious computer component launched by an enemy, the need to get to it and shut it off before the whole robot self-destructs. It’s a simple action story with strong artwork.

Overall, I’m not wild about this book, but that’s no doubt due to the fact that these aren’t kids properties that appeal so much to me. A kid who watches these shows will no doubt enjoy it a lot more.

Rating: 5/10

Cartoon Network Block Party #1

September 18, 2004

Quick Rating: Great
Title: D.E.A.D.L.I.N.E. and other stories

A great mix of comics and games for the kids!

Writers: Mo Willems; Sholly Fisch; Jesse McCann & Robbie Busch
Pencils: Matt Peters; Dave Simons; Gary Fields; Scott Neely; Jeff Albrecht; John Delaney & Mike Kazaleh
Inks: Robert R. Smith; Dave Simons; Gary Fields; Scott Neely; Jeff Albrecht & Mike Kazaleh
Colors: Heroic Age
Letters: Nick Napolitano
Editor: Joan Hilty
Cover Art: Robert Pope
Publisher: DC Comics/Johnny DC

While I’m not a viewer of most of the TV shows represented in this jam book of Cartoon Network properties, I didn’t get a third of the way in before I absolutely fell in love with the format. This comic is the perfect sampler for a kid – it’s full of characters they already know and love, and the book mixes in short stories with puzzles and games in a seamless fashion. Rather than stopping the book for the games, the games are mixed into the story.

There are three “regular” stories in this issue. We start with Codename: Kids Next Door in “D.E.A.D.L.I.N.E.” The Kids are called to rescue one of their own who is being held prisoner – it’s an extended gag strip, a cute five page story with a great punchline. We’ve got The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy in “Stage Fright.” When Grim decides to audition for a big musical, his stage fright almost blows it for him. Fortunately, the director finds a way to put the Grim Reaper’s unique characteristics to work for them. Finally, Dexter’s Laboratory presents “Garden Hose Nose Job.” When Dexter’s robot malfunctions he decides to fix it by borrowing his mom’s new garden hose. When she misses it, though, a guilty Dexter puts his robot to work.

All three of these stories are very cute and a lot of fun – just what you want to give your kids to read. The real innovative stuff, though, comes in the activity games mixed into the issue. Each is a one or two page story, a puzzle with a punchline, a great format. Courage the Cowardly Dog stars in “Hide and Shriek,” a story about some scary poltergeists hurling around furniture – mixed in with a simple hidden picture game. Ed, Edd ‘n Eddy star in “Mowin’ in the Wind,” a gag about them getting lost mowing lawns for money, with a maze in the mix. (Parents, if you insist on your kids keeping their comics pristine, you may want to photocopy this page.) Johnny Bravo stars in the one-page “The Dating Game,” where he’s got to find his blind date in a club full of women. This is a logic puzzle – Johnny get a few facts about his date and the reader is challenged to find her mixed into the room. The comic concludes with Cow and Chicken in “Fortune Hunter.” Chicken challenges the reader to one of those “pick a number” games – a simple magic trick – and teaches them how to use the same trick on their friends.

This comic book, simply put, is everything that should be done to get younger children reading comics. Familiar characters, fun and games and things they can share with other children. The stores are good and the punchlines are funny. If you have kids who watch these shows, you’ve got to pick up this comic for them.

Rating: 9/10