Writer: Stu Perrins Art: Israel Huertas Publisher: Fair Spark Books
This review covers the 1st 2 issues in a 4-issue miniseries. We don't get a whole peek into the entire story arc, so it's hard to tell this early on what the rest of the series has in store for us, and this review may look a little different from the regular Friday ones that cover entire volumes.
WHAT IS IT?
A play on the classic story of the young boy and the hero from outer space.
Do you remember that Hulk Hogan movie, Suburban Commando, where he's an alien and lives with a kid and his family? It reminds me a lot of that! Just more rabbit-y.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
(Minor Spoilers)
A kid grows up dreaming about the stars and life beyond his world. He looks through his telescope at what lies beyond his bedroom window and thinks about what all that space could hold.
Meanwhile, a giant, sentient rabbit pilots a rapidly failing space ship. With no other choices available to him, it looks like he may have to crash-land it on this strange, green-and-blue planet nearby.
Soon, both their lives would be changed forever. This is the story of Dexter and...MEGATOMIC BATTLE RABBIT!
In issue #2, we see that some people saw the Megatomic Battle Rabbit's alien craft crash, but public opinion is that those people are crazy. The secret is mostly safe for now.
Well, safe except for a couple curious government agents. And those agents are hot on MBR's tail (metaphorically speaking).
Can Dexter keep MBR's existence a secret and help get him back home? Well, I'm not going to tell you that here. Go read the comic!
WHAT WORKS?
The whole story is such a throwback to classic family sci-fi stories, and I love it
The overall tone is humorous and playfully tongue-in-cheek, which I think works in its favor
I thought the Easter Egg of the poster in Dexter's room, plugging the writer's other comic was great (see the image below)
Hilarious social jabs and Watchmen nods
Really hits all the high points of classic kid movies and comics, like Home Alone, E.T., Stranger Things and all the others
Getting-to-know-you moments
Hiding a secret person from the parents
Wearing a silly disguise
Government agents (or other antagonists) pursuing them
Definitely a solid indie comic for older kids
The art is bright and colorful, and feels like classic video games
You also don't always get full color in indie comics, so this was a treat (and absolutely necessary for a comic aimed at a younger audience)
WHAT DOESN'T WORK?
It does mention alcohol, blood and death, so this may not be for young kids
The first issue does a lot of set-up, but issue #2 really gets things moving
It feels like so much of an homage to classic family sci-fi stories that it can seem a little derivative of them, but the primary audience for this comic probably wouldn't know or think that
Certain aspects of the art can feel computer generated or overly detailed in comparison to the flatter colors and more cartoony styles of the rest of the comic
WHY SHOULD I READ IT?
It's reminiscent of beloved media many of us grew up on, and now, we can share a similarly great story like this one with our own kids. Plus, it's only a 4-issue miniseries, so you don't have to invest too much time or money in it!
WHAT DO I READ NEXT?
If you like the writing:
Clockwork, Inc. by Stu Perrins & Ron Gravelle
Bucky O'Hare by Larry Hama & Michael Holden
Lumberjanes, Vol. 1 by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis & Brooke Allen
If you like the art:
Megatomic Battle Rabbit, #3 by Stu Perrins & Israel Huertas
Ella Upgraded by Dan Whitehead & P.R. Dedelis
The Family Graves by Timothy Bach & Brian Atkins
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Stu Perrins – Writer
Outlander: Lives in England
Created his first comic at 9 years old, called "Cyborg Squad"
Often links to his other works on Twitter (@StuPerrins), and some of them are free!
Israel Huertas – Art, Color & Letters
Outlander: Hails from Spain
Dream Team: Often works with his brother, Diego Huertas
HOW DO I BUY IT?
Click one of these:
The image(s) used in this article are from a comic strip, webcomic or the cover or interior of a comic book. The copyright for this image(s) is likely owned by either the publisher of the comic, the writer(s) and/or artist(s) who produced the comic. It is believed that the use of this image(s) qualifies as fair use under the United States copyright law. The image is used in a limited fashion in an educational manner in order to illustrate the points of the author and not for the purpose of entertainment or substituting the original work. It is believed the use of this image has had no impact on the market value of the original work.
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