Dan Slott has proven time and time again in the past year or two that he handles super-heroes and comedy incredibly well while throwing in the occasional poignant moment of drama as well. Really, he's the heir apparent to the legacy of Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis and their 1980s Justice League comics. In this small-press series, he celebrates super-heroes and simians in comics while poking gentle fun at genre fiction. Light, playful art, an undeniable energy and a novel super-villain concept make for a thoroughly entertaining read. Mr. Comics is a new publisher and one most folks will not have heard of before, but it would be well worth one's while to seek out this delightful comic romp.
Big Max is America's greatest super-hero, carrying on the torch passed to him from the greatest of the previous generation, Old Glory, a shining symbol of American pride. The unique thing about Big Max, y'see, is that he's an ape. An intelligent one with a secret identity and everything, but an ape all the same. And along with his sidekick, Shakes the monkey, he does his best to protect the citizes of Washington from the likes of Knock-Knock and other villains. But a new threat has debuted, robbing banks with invisible weapons and getting away in invisible cars. He's the Mime, and there's nothing he can't do.
James Fry has been a mainstay in the industry for years, but his art has never really adorned many a memorable project. It's too bad, because he's an excellent storyteller. He handles the super-hero genre incredibly well, conveying the energy, larger-than-life qualities of the characters and the quickness of movement that's called for. He also handles comedy nicely as well, as his work boasts a lighter touch that's in keeping with a tongue-in-cheek tone. This artist is an excellent match for Dan Slott's sensibilities. The one visual element that didn't sit well with me was the bimbo-esque and unprofessional facade given the archetypal love interest/female reporter.
Slott mocks and pays tribute to a number of super-hero icons in this book, from Superman to Captain America, from Spider-Man to Batman. Big Max is every super-hero, representing every foible of the genre but also representing the fun and wonder. Yes, in many ways, the character is generic and derivative (you know, except for the simian thing), but it's incredibly easy to get past it due to the energy and enthusiasm of the characters and the creators. It's infectious, really.
My favorite aspect of this new title wasn't the core premise or the personality Slott pours into the main character, but the villain concept. The notion of a mime whose every gesture creates a new invisible reality or concrete concept a la Green Lantern isn't just funny, but actually kind of cool. It's imagination and performance as a weapon, and though it definitely belongs in a humor comic such as this, the idea is quite clever and novel. There was a slightly similar concept used in Mario Gully's Ant, but Slott and Fry execute it much better here. 8/10
