The Pro Oversized Hardcover GN

Rating:
Summary: WARNING: Not For The Satire Impaired
Review: If the cover is not enough of an indication, the opening page certainly sets the tone for the rest of the story. Garth Ennis wastes no time and gives no warning for those who are satire impaired or are faint of heart. If you liked Preacher, you are going to l-o-v-e The Pro.

Only Ennis could execute a no holds barred story about the world's first super-hero prostitute with that over-the-top writing style of his that has made him famous ... or would that be infamous? Whatever opinion you may have of this prolific writer, this book is certainly not going to change it. When Ennis' creative mojo is riding high, no amount of praying or crying from the prudish is going to save the souls of the innocent comic book readers. If we are going to hell, we may as well enjoy the ride!

The protagonist has all the charm of trailer park trash. The kind that you frequently see on Fox Network's television series C. O. P. S. However, a cosmic bet endows her with superpowers. It is at that point in the script where Ennis cranks up the absurdity level and hilariously maintains it to the last page. From the League Of Honor that spoofs DC Comics' Justice League, Speedo's lightning fast masturbation session in the background panels to The Saint's eventual use of profanity, Ennis pokes fun at the super-hero genre and those that advocate its creative stagnation which redefines the term; Pushing-The-Envelope. I would even dare say that Ennis is blatantly defying and challenging the industry's self-imposed strangulating boundaries. Need I tell you that the foul language would make your grandmother weep?

This is my first exposure to Amanda Conner's art work. One could easily think that it is reminiscent of John McCrea's style in DC's Hitman series. I suppose it does tend to lean towards the iconic and subjective but that would be a disservice in describing the amount of detail that is found in each panel or their composure on each page. The character's exaggerated expressions and body language gives the much needed caricatured visual in delivering Ennis' script and dialogue to the reader. Although Brian Bolland, George Perez, Neil Adams and Alex Ross can deliver lifelike portrayals, they would have certainly been the wrong choice for the book.

The Pro may be on its way to becoming a historic comic book and landmark work of entertainment that you will enjoy reading often.

Rating:
Summary: For the Love of God Move Your Head Now!
Review: This little story is 100% pure satire. Amongst the laughs, however, it poses some really serious questions about the concept of superheroes; why is it that bad things would happen in a world full of heroes? Where was Superman on September 11th? It's an excellent piece of writing with a good chunk of self-indulgent nastiness. A must read for comic book fans, but those with a weak sense of humor might be put off a bit.