John Layman might be reaching more readers with his recent work for Marvel Comics (Fantastic Four: House of M and Gambit), but for those who want to see what he really likes to write about, they should check out his non-super-hero work. Puffed was a bizarre, goofy and challenging piece of satire, and with this new graphic novel, he applies those sensibilities to spoofing the espionage/action genre, and James Bond in particular. I don't care for James Bond flicks and the like, but this sendup of the typical Bond villain and the dashing hero was quite entertaining. Those looking for deeper meaning should look elsewhere; this is just manic, over-the-top fun, brought to life in a refreshingly non-traditional visual style.
Doonald A. Feeney was given up for adoption at an early age, and he's never known who his real parents were. His life is a mess, and the latest catastrophe was being fired from a French restaurant. From out of the blue appears a piece of his past and a chance to feel powerful and important. Doonald's father -- Alphonse Feeney -- has re-entered his life, and it's because he needs some help. It turns out that the elder Feeney is an evil spy bent on world destruction, but his former allies in C.L.A.W. have turned against him, and he must prevent them from taking all his glory. Given Doonald's ineptitude, though, some more aid is needed, and that's when the pair seek out the evil spy's arch-nemesis, the British super-spy known as the Falcon.
I can see why Layman opted to collaborate with artist Dave Dumeer. He boasts an exaggerated, irreverent style just as Layman's Puffed partner, Dave Crosland, does. Dumeer's style reminds me of the works of such artists as Scott (Southpaw, Ancient Joe) Morse and Joe (E-Man) Staton. Dumeer manages to convey the huge scope of the story and the extreme action clearly without sacrificing the ridiculous nature of the characters and their actions.
It was recetly announced that the next big-scren Bond will be an actor by the name of Daniel Craig. I couldn't care less. I've never enjoyed a Bond film, as most of the scenarios are laughable. And this is coming from a guy who enjoys super-hero comics. Layman exposes the world domination/destruction schemes from those movies for the ridiculous plotting it is, and the result is brain-tickling.
What's funnier are the smaller touches, such as the explanation for Doonald's unusual name or how a missing member of the Feeney clan, true to his heritage, still found a way to make people's lives miserable. Layman's madcap writing style never fails to elicit a chuckle, and the frantic pace yet clear storytelling grabs the reader's attention and never lets go. 7/10
