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MAGIC PICKLE #2
Recommended (8/10)
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Oni Press
Writer/Artist: Scott Morse
Editor: James Lucas Jones
Price: $2.95 US/$4.50 CAN |
Morse continues his hilarious introduction to the world of Weapon Kosher and the little girl who accidentally ends up getting wrapped up in it. The fun, light tone of the dialogue and characters is matched by the quirkiness of the designs and the art in general. Of the various kid-appropriate books Oni has released in the past year or two, this stands out as the strongest, and the one most likely to appeal to young and old alike.
While Jo Jo Wigman pokes her nose into Weapon Kosher's secret headquarters (located right under her bedroom), the powerful pickle finds himself the captive of the Romaine Gladiator and his villainous vegetative cronies. Kosher summons a piece of technology from his base of operations; unfortunately (or perhaps luckily), Jo Jo just happens to be sitting on it at the time of its activation.
This issue isn't quite as strong as the first because the two main characters -- Weapon Kosher and Jo Jo -- don't spend much time together. The highlight of the debut chapter of this odd but delightfully silly story was the exchanges between these two characters. Still, even apart, they haven't lost their charm.
Morse's simple, angular style grants these characters a lot of energy, even when there's not much going on, action-wise. Morse really lays the darkness on thick, which one would expect to conflict with the overall light, innocent tone of the story. However, the inky art doesn't undermine that tone at all, and instead adds an oddly foreboding but goofy atmosphere to an already-tickling tale.
I've been staring at the computer screen for the better part of a half hour, trying to think of something else -- something new -- to say about Magic Pickle. I'm at a loss, save to say that it's book with universal appeal, and I expect it'll turn up on the list of nominess for next year's Eisner award for best title for a younger audience.
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