Skullkickers #19 / Uncanny Skullkickers #1

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang and Kevin Raganit

It's been a little while since we've seen the Skullkickers, so I was pretty happy to be able to pick up a new issue this week.  For this new arc, called 'Eighty Eyes on an Evil Island', writer Jim Zubkavich is having a little fun with the comics industry.  So far, each issue of the arc that's been solicited so far has been listed as a new #1 issue of a title which has simply changed an adjective or two in order to justify a 'relaunch'.  This issue was solicited as Uncanny Skullkickers #1, but it was also possible to pick it up with the cover, title, and numbering shown to the right.  I hope that this little stunt gets Zubkavich the notice he's looking for, because Skullkickers is an excellent series that more people need to be paying attention to.

As this arc opens, Rex and Kusia wake up on a remote beach, having been washed ashore after their sea-faring misadventures of the last story arc.  They have no idea where they are, and are left with a meager amount of supplies.  It's not long before the elfin Kusia has hunted up some meat, while Rex has found himself a small patch of shade in which to enjoy some rum.  Later, there is an attack by vicious horned turtles, and some jungle-slogging, which leads to an unfortunate discovery.

Running along the bottom of each page is another strip, which keeps us current with the Dwarf who is usually the star of this book.  It's one of the more exciting comics sequences I've ever read.

Skullkickers is a lot of fun, and it looks like Zubkavich is having a good time switching up the formula a little by rearranging the players.  Next month, I guess things in this book are going to be a little more canny, but also a lot more savage...

Skullkickers #16

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang, Kevin Raganit, and Misty Coats

As is to be expected, the new issue of Skullkickers is a lot of fun.  The baby Thool demon has taken over the minds of most of the women on the Mermaid's Bottom, leaving only the Captain, the female Elf, and our two heroes to try to fight it, free the women who are attacking them, and keep the ship from capsizing in the sudden storm that has imperilled them all.

This is an action-filled issue, so there's not a lot of space for character development or further explanation as to Baldy's history and his arrival in this world.  I presume we'll get back to that stuff eventually, but for at least one issue, I'm perfectly happy to wallow in the madcap action and amusing sound effects. 

In all, a very successful issue of Skullkickers.

Skullkickers #15

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang and Misty Coats

This issue of Skullkickers reveals more of Rex Maraud's history, as he continues his battle with the creature that hatched out of an egg two issues back.

I don't want to spoil Rex's history, which is pretty unexpected in a swords and sorcery comedy fantasy comic like this, but suffice it to say, we do learn what happened to his hair, and how he reloads his gun.  I doubt you expected either explanation to turn out the way it did.

Zubkavich and company continue to do some very nice work on this comic.  Zubkavich uses a dual narrator thing with this comic that reminds me of how some writers write Deadpool, except for the fact that here it's actually funny. 

Really, any comic that features Tlahuelpuchi, the Vampire Turkey, however briefly, deserves to be bought immediately.  Now I'd like to see a comic where Tlahuelpuchi fights Poyo, the gamecock from Chew...

Skullkickers #14

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang, Misty Coats, and M. Goodwin

This issue of Skullkickers moved into unexpected territory very quickly.  We'd been promised the story behind Baldy's gun, and we do learn where he got it from in this issue, but it was not in a way I ever could have predicted.

The comic starts with him still on the sailing ship from last issue, fighting a slimy monster that just hatched out of an egg.  He makes reference to having fought one before, and the comic then moves into a flashback set in New Mexico in 1876, where notorious bounty hunter and gunfighter Rex Maraud has just arrived in a small town to do some monster hunting.  After the usual display of skill for some town idiots, Rex moves out to a site known for supernatural goings on, and waits for a cult to begin some kind of strange ritual.

Eventually, after fighting another slimy monster, he ends up in thrall to a Lovecraftian demon-thing.  Somewhere in all of that, he gets his gun.  We are promised that the next issue will show us how he ends up in the medieval fantasy land that we are used to, and where his hair went. 

Jim Zubkavich is not one to fall back on conventional plotting or ideas, and I love how fresh each new issue of Skullkickers is.  This is Jonah Hex played for laughs, which is a nice change from the usual in this book, although I hope it doesn't take long to get us back to the main story.

This issue also has a back-up collaboration story featuring Shorty and a girl from a comic called Princeless.  It's cute, and nicely drawn, but I don't know if it's enough to get me to check out that other title.

Popgun Volume 3

Edited by Mark Andrew Smith and DJ Kirkbride

There's something very satisfying about opening up and diving into a comics anthology like the Popgun series, even before reading any of the stories in it.  I think a lot has to do with the beautiful design and the weight of the book, which clocks in at slightly over 450 glossy pages.  The book is a work of art on its own, and is something to be celebrated.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same for all of the stories in this third volume.  Like when I read the fourth, I find that the variety of audiences to whom the creators are presenting their work makes this a very scattered book to read.  I have nothing against all ages comics (well, I don't really like reading them, but I'm happy they exist), but I don't understand how a cute-sy, kid-oriented story about picking apples can be in the same book as a story about a traveling fighter (named the Bastard) who fights a giant rooster in a story so replete with cock jokes that they are just about the only dialogue in the story.  You would never give this book to a child, and so I wonder if the kid-oriented stories ever get enjoyed the way they are meant to.

In any book this size, and with such a variety of creators represented (76, according to the back cover), there is bound to be stories that resonate, and others that sink.  I particularly enjoyed the early appearance of the Skullkickers by Jim Zubkavich and Chris Stevens, which show an earlier version of our heroes, before the dwarf actually became a dwarf (unless Stevens's perspective was just way off).  There is also an early version of Nathan Edmondson and Christian Ward's Olympus, which ended up being very different from what is shown in this story.

I also enjoyed stories by Alberto Mielgo, Michael Dialynas, Peter Berting, Connor Williamson, Jason Ibarra (working with Zubkavich, who apparently does no wrong), Mark Andrew Smith and Johann Leroux, Amanda Becker and Janet Kim, Ray Fawkes and Justin Randall (whose art looks a lot like Brett Weldele's), Paul Grist, Danilo Beyruth, and Derek Yu.

My two favourite stories were 'Nudging Buddy' by Ron Turner, and 'Ever Upward' by Tonci Zonjic.  The Turner story is a noir-ish tale about three friends who have fallen into crime while on vacation in Greece.  It has a nice pace and a surprising ending.  Zonjic's story is a tribute to Joe Kittinger, the first man to break the speed of sound.

This book covers a number of genres, and really does have something for just about anyone.  I wish there was a little more balance in the selection of stories, and some of them really are dumb, but overall this is a very successful project.

Skullkickers #13

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang and Misty Coats

It's been a little while since the last issue of Skullkickers was published, and I for one am very happy to see Baldy and Shorty back on the comics stands.

This issue opens with a nice, detailed recap, which makes this book very new-reader friendly.  If you've been hearing good things about this comic, now is the time to jump on board (not that it's ever so complicated that an intelligent reader like yourself wouldn't be able to figure it out as you go along).

Our two heroes have stowed away on a sailing ship, with the idea of getting themselves as far away from Urbia, where they've just gone through all sorts of trouble, as possible.  What they don't know is that Kusia, the elf-girl who has been the cause of so many of their problems has also snuck aboard the same ship.  It's not long before everyone is discovered by the all-female crew of the ship, who decides to put them all to work, while singing them a rather catchy song about their captain, Cherry Cutlass, wielder of the Ruby Blade.

This issue is filled with the usual Skullkickers hi-jinks, including a very funny food fight.  Really, there is no other comic quite like this - the Incredible Hercules series from Marvel probably came closest, but this is funnier.  Go check this out.

Skullkickers #12

Written by Jim Demonakos, Kyle Stevens, Jim Zubkavich, Howard Tayler, and Zach Weiner
Art by Joe Ng, Joel Carroll, Mike Luckas, and Ben McSweeney

I really like the way that, between story arcs, Jim Zubkavich invites his friends over to play with his toys for a single issue.  This time around, there are four 'tavern tales', which give us some different views into the adventures of our two heroes.

The entire concept of Skullkickers is pretty versatile.  They are fighters for hire.  One is tall, bald, and carries the only firearm in the world (I think).  The other is short, hairy, and swings his axe as often as he gets drunk (which is a lot for both).  They go places, and invariably, stuff happens.  Sounds like the basis for a lot of good stories, doesn't it?

The stories here run the gamut from a little too cutesy to stories that match the usual tone of this series very well.  I particularly liked the first story, which has our duo getting involved in a medieval battle of the bands which is more literal than you would think.  The drum-armour is brilliant.  I also enjoyed the last story, where our heroes have to kill a woman who is so beautiful, that all previous assassins were unable to complete the job (but none of them were dwarfs).

It's good stuff, but I look forward to the next story arc, which begins in the next issue.

Skullkickers #11

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang and Misty Coats

Skullkicker's second arc, 'Five Funerals & A Bucket of Blood' finishes with this issue, which features both that fifth funeral, and that bucket of blood.  This story has our two heroes fighting a gigantic blood-sucking plant, while still being pursued by soldiers, an angry mob, and the local Thieve's Guild.

The giant plant is central to the plans of Kusia, the woman who our boys have been running into since the first issue, although after she has a revelatory chat (to which we are not privy) with the woman who I still think looks like Gran'ma Ben from Bone, she sort of switches sides.

Basically, this is a big fun fight comic, with plenty of opportunities for Jim Zub to write large sound effect captions that say things like 'dynamic action', 'embarassing [sic] demise', and 'property depreciation'.  The story is wrapped up well, and the last couple of pages both set up the next arc, and give us a sight that is a little confusing, but which I imagine will help propel the series forward.

Skullkickers is always a fun read, and I'm pleased to see that the series is doing well.

Skullkickers #10

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang and Misty Coats

Who would have predicted that Skullkickers, the chaotic and wildly funny book about doltish monster killers would really be a book about environmentalism?  Not since Paul Chadwick's Concrete has a comic explored the relationship between mankind and his environment in such a profound way.  Well, okay, maybe not.  But still, it's nice to see what the woman with the arrows, who we first saw in the first issue, is up to.

Most of this comic is more of the same Skullkickers goodness.  The guys have just about everyone angry with them - soldiers, an angry mob, and the thieves guild.  There is a lot of marching, mobbing, and swarming going on, as these three groups scour the streets looking for our heroes.  They are too busy developing medical applications for the questionable practice of gerbiling, choosing instead to use a dead squirrel.

This book really isn't like anything else on my pull-list, and for that, I'm thankful that its been so reliably good.  It makes a nice break from what normally makes up my pile of weekly comics.

Skullkickers #9

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang and Misty Coats

The solicitation text for this issue read:  "This issue: More of the SAME!", and that's exactly what it delivers.  Skullkickers has been remarkably consistent, meaning that it is a very dependable book, if you are looking for a level of hilarity and unpredictability that we don't often see in independent comics these days.

When last we saw our heroes, they were being tossed into a pit to fight a giant horned ape in order to prove their mettle to a gang of thieves.  This issue opens with the poor ape, named Ape Wit' Horns, having received the worse of the situation.  The 'Kickers are sent to buy new clothes, and retrieve a map for their new associate.  Strangely, all of this stuff works out perfectly for them, as they retrieve their own clothes and weapons (did anyone else think the woman in the market looked like Gran'ma Ben, from Bone?), and they later run in to just the person they are looking for.

Zubkavich is playing around with themes of fate and destiny, and so none of these things are really coincidences.  As always, there's a lot to love about this comic.  My favourite part of this issue is that the tall bald 'Kicker doesn't understand Thieves' Cant, the argot of the underworld, but he is able to communicate with squirrels.  I look forward to having that explained at some point.

As always, Skullkickers is one of the more unique titles on my pull-list, and I appreciate it for that.

Skullkickers #8

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang

'Five Funerals & a Bucket of Blood' continues, after the first of the titular funerals, with the pursuit of our two heroes, after they were mistakenly accused of massacring a group of nobles last issue.  The duo want to retrieve their possessions, especially Baldy's gun, but since their lodgings are full of local guards, they concoct a plan to wait until nightfall, find the city's nest of thieves and lowlifes, and get help.

The plan works about as well as all of their plans do, with very funny consequences.  First, they can't find any lowlifes, and so try to get robbed themselves.  From there, things go even worse for them.  At the same time, the guards have found Baldy's gun, but since it appears to be the only one of its kind in the Skullkicker-verse, they are surprised when they start shooting themselves with it.

Zubkavich's writing in this title is very funny.  Huang's art has grown on me with each issue, and I now consider myself a fan of his.  I don't normally enjoy books like this, but I've become very enamored of this title.

Skullkickers #7

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang

I'm still more than a little surprised that I'm enjoying this comic as much as I am.  I don't usually go in for lighthearted sword and sorcery comics - it's just not my cup of tea - but Jim Zubkavich has constructed this book in such a way that I'm really enjoying it.

This issue marks the return of the series after a short hiatus, and starts the new arc, 'Five Funerals & a Bucket of Blood'.  Our heroes, who actually, finally, get named in this issue, are being taken to the capital city to be feted in their new roles as 'Heroes of Mudwich', after they saved the town from a monster in the first arc.

As is to be expected with these two characters, trouble is not far behind, and they quickly find themselves being ambushed while having dinner with a bunch of noblemen.  It's not much of a surprise when they get blamed for what happened, and have to go on the run once again.  The character work in this comic is excellent, and the dialogue between the two is often very funny.  I like Huang's artwork, which is starting to remind me of Leave It To Chance-era Paul Smith, were that book more influenced by manga.

This is a fun title.  If you haven't been reading it, this issue is a great place to pick it up and give it a try.  Plus, the trade is only $10, so you should get that too...

Skullkickers #6

Written by Chris Sims, Brian Clevinger, Ray Fawkes, and Adam Warren
Art by Joe Vriens, Jim Zubkavich, Scott Hepburn, and Jeff Cruz

During a lull between story arcs, instead of putting the book on hiatus (which is happening until May), the Skullkickers team decided to gift us with a fun little anthology issue, made up of four short stories featuring the demon-killing duo.

The first is the best.  It's written by The ISB's Chris Sims, with really nice Sam Kieth meets Simon Bisley artwork.  This is a great zombie warrior woman story that really captures the two characters the way regular writer Zubkavich has set them up.

The same is true for the Clevinger/Zubkavich story.  It's nice to see Zub handling the art for a change; I didn't know he could draw.  The third and fourth stories are weaker, but I really enjoyed the 70s cartoon vibe of Cruz's artwork.

While all four of the stories are just riffs on the basic Skullkickers premise, I hope to see more one-off issues like this one between story arcs.  It's a good way to draw in some new readers (especially if more highly-recognized creators come on board), and reward long-term ones with something fun.

Skullkickers #4

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang

One thing I learned this month is that the title of this comic is one word, not two.  It looks like two on the cover, but apparently it's just one - no hyphen either.  Fascinated yet?

Skullkickers continues to be a fun read.  This issue was over pretty quickly, as our two heroes spent the whole time fighting zombies and the zombie-making guy.  The dwarf gets partially zombified, and starts having issues with one leg in a scene that reminded me of that weird syndrome some people have where their hand tries to hurt them (I read about this in the New Yorker over a year ago - don't seek out the article unless you have a strong stomach; one part really freaked me out).

Anyway, it's not all zombies and mayhem; we do finally learn the identity of the person who killed the Chancellor in the first issue, and a little bit about what she was looking to achieve through her assassination.  I'm sure all of this will be relevant some time soon.

I like this comic; I've decided to add it to my pull-list, and wish it great success.

Skullkickers #3

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang and Misty Coats

Skull Kickers continues to be a lot of fun, although this issue doesn't seem to cover as much ground as the first two issues did.  This one seemed to be over pretty quickly, although a lot of the issue was taken up with two scenes - one a strange, perhaps portentious vision brought on by a pot of poisoned stew, and the other a large fight scene involving reanimated corpses.

Zubkavich uses a few of the quieter scenes in this issue to help build up the relationship between the two protagonists, neither of which have been named yet.  I like the dream/vision sequence, as it helps guarantee that there is a plan for this series, because so far the plot feels a little random.

Huang's artwork, paired with Misty Coats digital colouring is really beginning to grow on me.  I know that a lot of new Image series are getting a fair deal of attention when they come out, but I hope that the sales on this book are healthy enough to grant it a reasonable run.

Skull Kickers #2

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang

I don't usually read books like this, and have been checking this out on the recommendation of the manager at the comic store I shop at.  The first issue intrigued me enough to come back for a second, and I'm afraid that this book is working its magic on me, and is likely to get added to my pull-list pretty soon.

In a lot of ways, this book reminds me of early issues of Chew.  At the start, I wasn't that interested in the title, partly because of the artwork, and now it's one of my favourite titles.  The same thing is working for Skull Kickers.  I've never been a big fan of what I think of as the Udon house style, which is how I would describe the art in this issue, with its manga influence and bright digital colours (I hate the way the fight in the burning building looks), but I find that it suits this type of story so well that it is growing on me.

The story, about a stupid human and a possibly stupider dwarf journeying to recover the body of a dead political official from a zombie-like creature, is amusing and quick-witted.  The two rescue a pair of merchants and their employees from a goblin attack just to rob them themselves.  This, and the scene where they threaten to eat a prisoner are pretty funny.  I'm not sure if there is enough material here for an on-going comic, but I'm curious to see where the story leads.

Skullkickers #1

Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Chris Stevens and Edwin Huang

As I'm sure you're aware, this title has received a ton of positive press in the last two weeks, and has had Bleeding Cool reporting that copies were selling for five times cover price on Ebay the day before the book even hit the stands.  There seems to be a huge speculative interest in new creator-owned Image books of late (Chew being the gold standard, but books like Morning Glories are good examples).  I don't understand this type of thinking, but I like that it is helping 'the little guys' get some readers.

I'd already decided to buy this comic before all the media storm started, because the manager at my comic store is friends with Zubkavich, and the store was doing a lot to promote the book.  I missed the launch party, but when I picked up my books this week, Zubkavich was standing their signing them.  I'm always willing to pick up a new comic if it supports local creators, and I've learned to trust the Beguiling's staff and their recommendations.

It's not the type of comic I would have picked up otherwise.  It has a little too much of a 'classic Image' look for me, and the first couple of pages did nothing for me.  But then, I slowly found myself being drawn more and more into the story, and by the time I finished reading it, I was pretty sure I'd pick up issue 2.

Skull Kickers is about a pair of mercenaries.  One is a large bald human, who seems very strong and packs a chunky pistol.  The other is a red-bearded dwarf, who seems a little touchy.  Together, they've been killing werewolves in some medieval-looking town, and the local lieutenant refuses to pay them.  Their negotiations become interrupted when a young chancellor arrives in town, only to be promptly assassinated.  Our as-yet nameless heroes go after the killer, but fail.  Later, they are hired to steal his body.

The art is split between Stevens and Huang, and I found that I liked Huang's pages better.  The style reminds me of Udon Studios's work, which make sense as Zubkavich has done work for them.  This is a fun comic, and is worth a look.