This self-published volume of Steve Conley's delightful space romp was given away free at Megacon in Florida earlier this year, but given the $2 price tag on the cover, I'd say chances are good that it'll be available for sale at other cons or even in comic shops. It's not to be missed, as it provides a wonderfully accessible read for new readers and spotlights the creator's sense of humor and sense of wonder perfectly. Modern imagination meets the science-fiction of yesteryear in this thoroughly entertaining story.
An item of immeasurable value and power is stolen from the Macroshaft Center for Galactic Curiosity on Faber 2B, and given the incredible security and the daring of the heist, there can be only one suspect: Argosy Smith. After all, only someone of Smith's cunning and brilliance could pull it off... either that, or someone with the most incredible dumb luck ever. That's what Argosy figures, anyway, and he and his pal Theremin set out to find the culprit... and to prevent a disaster of galatic proportions, of course.
Steve Conley seems to have two different approaches when it comes to designing Argosy's world. First of all, he recognizes that less is more, and there in lies some of the simpler and charming sci-fi elements that are reminiscent of the 1950s and '60s. Then again, Conley also seems to feel that at other times, more is more. Computer effects add energy and detail to the visuals. And at one point, he pulls off an interesting trick when he sets a two-dimensional image apart as being two-dimensional in a three-dimensional world that's been brought to life in a two-dimensional medium.
Yeah, go back and read that again. I had to.
I'm also pleased to be reminded that the property loses none of its energy and vibrancy in a black-and-white format. The story is exciting, and there's a wonderful and diverse array of weird and dynamic characters. The villains are as irreverent as the heroes, but Conley still manages to maintain a delightful sense of danger amid the goofiness.
What I enjoyed most here, though, were the jokes. Conley's narration regarding the nature of Globbins had me smiling from ear to ear, and eager for more of the professor's factoids and observations about the weird little alien at the heart of the story.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
