Weird Melvin

Rating:
Summary: Holographic Hemorrhoids!
Review: After finding a lightly amusing and enjoyable read in the "Weird Melvin" comic strip series TPB (available at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0974520527/qid=1098738078/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-8646183-3962510?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 ), I decided to continue on with the second collection in the ongoing saga of "Big Weird." Like the first volume, I didn't find this collection of freaky cartoon goodness gut-bustingly funny, although I did get a nice chuckle over writer/artist Marc Hansen's pot shots at UberTrekkies and comic book fanboys who are wa-a-a-a-y too into the hobby. I also managed to crack a smile or two at the odd tribute to the renderings of "Rat Fink" creator Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, as well as the satirical spin on the infamous EC horror comics of the 50s. All told, the Weird Melvin comic book series TPB is a pretty good diversion for comic book fans who aren't afraid to laugh at themselves, and enjoy a nice dollop of absurdity every now and then.

But in spite of my amusement with "Big Weird" and his over-the-top monster-slaying, there are a couple things that bring this book down a little. The first little "glitch" is the print quality, which is pretty good... well, aside from a few pages that feature some blank and light-toned spots where the print plate apparently wasn't fully inked before it pressed down on the paper, that is. The second slight prob I encountered was the feeling that things got wrapped up a little too hurriedly at the end, leaving me with the notion that Hansen wanted to continue with the adventure, but for some reason was unable to, and had to come up with a quick conclusion. Which I found out was the likely case after reading the author's introduction where he discusses the "impending implosion of the comic book industry" that was occurring at the time the single issues of "Weird Melvin" that make up this TPB were hitting the stands. Ah well-- it was fun while it lasted...

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