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LIBERTY MEADOWS #27
Recommended (8/10)
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Image Comics
Writer/Artist: Frank Cho
Price: $2.95 US/$4.50 CAN |
Frank Cho gives his sometimes controversial newspaper strip a boost by bringing it to a higher-profile publisher, but that's really all that's changed. The Bloom County-esque antics of the Liebrty Meadows gang continues to entertain. Cho's willingness to tear into his own audience and others' makes for some sharp, fun reading, and I'm pleased to see that he acknowledges that the publisher jump might bring in new readers and ensures an accessible read.
Midget circus bear Ralph and hypochondriac frog Leslie beg the buxom Brandy for a lift... to the local comic-book/sci-fi convention. Brandy indulges them, and decides to check things out for herself. She, the guys and a certain monkey-faced comic creator find the socially inept fans, pretentious pros and greedy geeks. And later, Ralph is bound and determined to reclaim his world-record title... with a little help from his friends, the Acme company and the medical profession.
Cho's irreverent art is clearly influenced by some of the top talents in the field of comic strips. Berke (Bloom County) Breathed's work clearly inspires not just the characters and general premise, but the visuals as well. Walt (Pogo) Kelly seems to be an influence as well, and Cho clearly admits an appreciation for the work of Bill (Calvin & Hobbes) Watterson in this very book. Of course, when it comes to the human characters, Adam Hughes seems to be another artist from whom Cho takes cues and inspiration.
Another influence, in terms of content more than visual style, seems to be old Warner Bros. cartoons, especially those Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote shorts. Cho's humor may lean more toward scathing commentary on who we are, but he clearly has a soft spot -- and a penchant -- for cartoon slapstick as well.
Cho's humor here is scathing at times; some might even perceive it to be mean-spirited. He landed himself in hot water online a while back when he lashed out at indy comics, and he does so again here, briefly. But Cho makes it clear that nothing is off limits... even himself. His willingness to mock himself and his fans points to Cho's view that there's something to ridicule in all of us, in all things.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
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