The Boys #37 review

Who likes the French? They are loved by few and certainly not cherished nor respected by Irish author and comic badass Garth Ennis. In this issue, The Frenchman shares his tragically corny origin story with Hughie. Ennis is able to not take himself nor his charcters too seriously which make his issue a lot of fun.

Ever notice how origins stories often fall into a predictable cookie cutter outline? Authors and comic enthusiasts alike know the formula. Writers habitually use it, while devout readers cringe. As Ennis has used The Boys to mock just about everything in the superhero comic industry, now he attacks the origin story and the French. Yes!

Returning from the war to his small village, Frenchie soon learns that life has changed. The Frenchman is from a small village called Franglais, showing the French’s secret love for the English. Artist Darick Robertson nails every French stereotype with his talented pencils. There’s an annual tradition of jousting on bikes with large loaves of French bread. What happens when Frenchie’s childhood rival uses an illegal croissant? Will Frenchie get his long lost love? Will he make a cheesy vow to avenge his father’s honor? How did he meet the Butcher? Mon Dieu!

The Boys has long arcs that can drag at times. Ennis strikes gold with this single-issue story. This is what The Boys should be – fun, irreverent, well written, and a kick to the nuts that the comic industry so rightly deserves.

4 out of 5

With long delays between issues, Dynamite’s The Lone Ranger is finally back.  While this issue is nothing of great importance, it does begin a new story arc in this lively incarnation of this iconic legend.  Glimpses of characters in pervious arcs are scattered throughout this issue.  The Lone Ranger’s archenemy, Cavendish, continues his hunt for the masked man who cost him a fortune.

Writer Brett Matthews delivers a lackluster script, making this issue feel like a rest stop between adventures.  There moments that point to plot movement in the following issues and some decent scenes between The Lone Ranger and the supporting cast.

Artist Sergio Cariello is a perfect fit for this title.  His Lone Ranger is powerful, agile, and tough.  The art can be inconsistent at times, profiles are sloppy and some fudging with shadows.  My biggest gripe is Cariello’s drawing of the boy Dan.  Little Dan’s head looks like an adult’s melon, giving him the appearance of a grown dwarf.

I’m glad to see this title back.  I just hope The Lone Ranger can find someone to shoot soon.

2.5 out of 5

Garth Ennis’ Boys crash the superheroes’ orgy while the vice-president of the United States satisfies his every kinky desire.  With last issue’s buildup, the Boys infiltrating the party looked like it would be the catalyst this series needed.  Unfortunately, it didn’t work.  Actually, it just flat out failed.

Muddled down with meandering plotlines, Garth Ennis just can’t seem to find a clear direction for this story.  This issue is filled with tiny moments that are fragmented and disconnected.  Nothing clicks; nothing works; it all falls flat.  From trite conversations to poorly executed action sequences, I was bored.

Thankfully, The Boys is still a satisfying read, because this series is suck-central.

.5 out of 5

Garth Ennis hits his stride with the Boys, as they return to what they do best – kicking the crap out of superheroes.  However, Butcher and the team are experiencing a reversal of roles as they have become the hunted.  With the Female in a comma after being attacking by a supe, The Boys are ready to spill blood.

Ennis wisely devoted most of this issue to some long overdue brawling.  The throw down between the Boys and the sup-team assigned to take them out is nasty and not for the faint of heart.  Vought American is still plotting and scheming in the background, but this one is just a blood fest.

Artist Darick Robertson shines as the sadistic star of this issue.  From a blood-soaked nut crush to a nose bitten and spat away, Robertson’s ability to put Garth Ennis’ revolting ideas onto pages is a sickening thing of beauty to witness.  The fighting sequence works because of Robertson’s fluid panels and dynamic moments.

I think I threw up a bit in my mouth reading this one, but that’s why we read The Boys.  Roll up your sleeves for the next one because round two should kick ass and crush nuts.

4 out of 5

This is one of the best comic book covers of the year! Unfortunately, that’s where the praise ends.  I am so sad to write this review.  What was once at the top of my pull list has fallen both hard and fast.  With only one more issue to his third story arc, Gath Ennis’ The Tankies isn’t a good read.

The first two arcs were phenomenal.  They stood out from the plethora of WWII tales because of their unique characters.  These were character driven stories placed in original situations written by the master of war stories himself, Ennis.  The Tankies fails on both levels.  There are too many pages wasted on dialogue without advancing the plot or enriching the characters.  The conversations are rambling and appear rushing in their writing.  It’s as if Ennis liked the idea of a story about British Tankies, but couldn’t think of compelling characters and a griping plot.

Carlos Ezquerra’s art is the bright point of this read.  However, it’s not enough to save an overall boring issue.  This series has been so good that a poor story arc is forgivable.  Garth Ennis lost this battle, but he’s got formidable ammo for future skirmishes.

2 out 5

A real shocker closes out this arc for The Boys.  “We Gotta Go Now” has been the longest arc on this series to date.  Sadly, it didn’t have to be this long to get to the point.  I’m glad to say that the conclusion was worth the wait.

Hughie’s undercover work with G-Wiz, the entry-level super group for the G-Men, comes to an authentic Garth Ennis ending.  I mean Ennis in top form, not cheap shock and awe. Godolkin, the bizzaro Prof. X character, is unveiled in this issue.  We learn how he baits innocent kids to join G-Wiz and his tactics to keep them there.  It’s not a shocking reveal, but penned by Ennis it made my skin crawl.  Ennis exposes the story via confession by a G-Wiz member who breaks down to Hughie and the team.  It’s heart-wrenching and sick, but Ennis is effective and handles the reveal well.  Other lose ends tie up (Godokin’s connection to Vought and Mother’s Milk investigation of a missing kid) without much fanfare.

This arc was too long, often dragging to a snail’s crawl.  Ennis could have told the story in four issues.  It would have saved me money and that’s always good.  In the pervious issue, an interesting tension developed between Hughie and Butcher.  There’s no mention of it here, but too much was happening to really flesh it out.  Hopefully, Ennis builds on it.

Darick Robertson’s art has become as essential to The Boys as Ennis’s writing.  He draws The Boys so they look like bad asses (even Hughie).  He handles the big reveal with skill.  It’s up to him to pull it off, as panel after panel, are wordless yet shocking, horrible and bold.  It’s good to have Darick back.

Ennis and Robertson get back on their game with this arc’s final two issues.  A few issues ago, I was debating dropping this title.  Well, I’m in for a bit more.  I’ll stick around at see what they have planned for The Boys.

3 out of 5

This western horror tale continues to entertain.  If you want a recap of the basic premise, check out our review of issue number one.

I was concerned that author James Kuhoric’s sophomore issue might disappoint.  I’m happy to say it only got better.  In this issue, back-story is explored via flashbacks.  Kuhoric achieves a balance between flashbacks and progressing the current story forward.  What we learn about the Irons family is creepy, sick and actually scary.

Jason Shawn Alexander’s art sets a definitive tone.  It’s wispy, dusty, dark, and achieves a mode rather than a straightforward picture.  He brings to life the eerie showdown this issue sets the stage for between Silas and his siblings.

I did laugh at a preview blurb I read about this title.  It’s being touted as “this year’s biggest and best supernatural western tale.”  I didn’t realize it beat out so many other titles in this vast genre!  Regardless, Dead Irons does deserve praise.  When this issue ended, I was ticked.  What happens next?  I wished I had Issue 3 in my hands.  That’s always good thing.

4 out of 5

I’m not the type of guy to run out and buy a horror western title.  I picked up Dead Irons for its kick ass cover.  I’m glad I did.

It was refreshing to have a first issue that didn’t overwhelm you with character description and back-story.  It rests on character’s actions with strong enough panels, showing who everyone is and where the plot is going.

James Kuhoric’s tale of Silas Irons and his siblings is solid read.  This issue establishes the characters and their horrific little secrets.  The action simmers with that “there’s a storm a brewing” feel, leading you wait for more.

Jason Shawn Alexander’s art is the star.  It’s gritty and frantic, creating a creepy world waiting for bloodshed.  There is a drawback to this artistic style; it’s hard to make out who’s who at times.  However, I enjoy the scary and dirty mood that is created.

3.5 out of 5