Madman Boogaloo!

Rating:
Summary: The Literary Equivelant of Pixie Stix
Review: This snappy collection of Madman guest appearances in the equally-cultish "Nexus" and "Jam" books makes a pleasant addition for fans and collectors of these respective authors and artists. As an introduction to either Madman, the Jam or the world of Nexus, it can be a little jarring, with only the basics to fill in newcomers. Still, the art is vibrantly alive and the stories zing along like a neighborhood big wheel race. It's not unusual for comics these days to have an attitude about them, but in these stories the feeling is one of pervasive whimsey. Bernie Mierault and Allred have collaborated before (and continue to do so) on the short, "Dr. Robot" and the one issue "Everyman". They share an artist's empathy and enthusiasm for their creation that leaps off the page in the back and forth collaboration of the two heroes. The universe within Mike Barron & Steve Rude's"Nexus" is already so hyper-detailed and complete, the only room left is for Allred to supply Madman with his trademark "ginchy" dialogue. But it's not such a bad thing. Bound together the stories have the effect of an exhibition of classic "Amazing Stories" pulp fiction art crossbred with the eye-popping post-modernism of Roy Lichtenstein. So, if you like what you see here kids, there's worlds of boundless artistic joys to be found in each one of these giants of modern comics own works. Check 'em out!