Comic Review: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl

If a series gets two first issues in the same year, you know it's got to be either really good, or a shameless cash in.
Thankfully, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1 (Volume 2?), by Ryan North and Erica Henderson, is heaps of the former, coming out with a great first issue, for the second time this year.

With not much comedy on the shelves in modern day, it's good to see Marvel put out something both alternative, and actually really funny. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is, in essence, a superhero sitcom, with our titular heroine attending college, making friends, and defeating villains on the side. This incarnation of Squirrel Girl is the most well formed of the character to date, with a distinct lovable personality, yet remaining grounded and not too looney to be unrealistic. For a character who talks to squirrels as her main superpower, she's remarkably identifiable, being an otherwise typically socially awkward young woman.
The dialogue is sharp and witty, falling somewhere between the humor of 'Communuty' and 'Spaced', with a cast of exceedingly likable new characters like Squirrel Girl's college roommate, the cat-obsessed computer science major Nancy, and the beginnings of Squirrel Girl's own adorable animal-themed supergroup: Chipmunk Hunk and Koi Boi (Who talks to fish and slowly grows to fit the size of his container)
It's sharp on the social commentary, in a not-so-subtle-in-your-damn-face kinda way, with all the main characters being modern college students, they talk like actual young people, and the whole thing is a nice breath of fresh air, both with the multi-racial characters and the openly feminist themes. Also returning is the mini commentary by the creators in tiny text at the bottom of every page, offering often hilarious insight. 

The downfall here is that Squirrel Girl's personality in other comics may seem derivative after reading The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, as her personality elsewhere just doesn't match up to her wit and intelligence here. She's a recent addition to the New Avengers team, and her appearance there (so far, at least) is occasional one panel comic relief.. With a passing joke about her new teleporter in The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, they blew away all the comedy in the New Avengers in one go. Squirrel Girl as a character is evolving because of this series, and it may take a while for other books to catch up to that.

The funniest thing about The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl may be her almost meta-awareness of her place in the Marvel Universe. She heads over to Tony Stark to borrow a Squirrel shaped Iron Man outfit, because she can! She's friends with Deadpool, because who wouldn't be? There's a brilliant throwaway gag as Squirrel Girl's mother explains exactly why technically (and legally) Squirrel Girl isn't a mutant. It's fun stuff, and the new series looks to be even better than the last. With writer Ryan North finding a continuous pace that keeps getting more enjoyable to read, and artist Erica Henderson giving a distinctive, expression heavy style to the characters that fits perfectly.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is one of the best comedy books of the shelves at the moment, not because of obvious jokes, but because of charm and character. If the strength of the new first issue is any indication, it looks like Squirrel Girl has a lot of adventures ahead.

 

Comic Review: Karnak.

With Marvel's largest crossover in history winding to a close, the next month sees a whole range of new books, comprised of both returning series and brand new names. In this post Secret Wars universe, we're promised a change in the Marvel Universe as we know it, with new characters and new teams taking center stage.

Amid the obviously eye catching new titles like Wolverine and the various new Avengers books, one that may fly under the radar, or be overlooked entirely, is Karnak.

For those unfamiliar with the character, Karnak is one of the long term members of fringe superhero group The Inhumans, and although he has his dedicated fans, one often overshadowed by bigger and more exciting members of the group like Black Bolt, the Inhuman king who can crumble mountains with a whisper,  or Medusa, with her prehensile hair and cold as ice royal conduct.
Karnak takes the role of adviser to the Inhuman royal family, and although he has no real powers as we know them, he is possessed of the preternatural ability to find the weaknesses, both literal and existential, in all things. A subtle talent, but one the right writer can work magic with.

Fortunately, Karnak has been placed in the hands of one of the comic industries most significantly gifted writers, Essex-born Warren Ellis. A veteran writer perhaps best known to comic fans for creating science fiction classic Transmetropolitan and genre bending superhero title The Authority, Ellis is known for mature themes, gritty characters both humorous and horrific, and presenting the audience with a view of our own world through some very cracked lenses.

Ellis's Karnak begins with the titular character in seclusion in a monastery of his own making, when he is dragged from his peaceful contemplation by agents of SHIELD seeking his skills in the matter of a kidnapped Inhuman child. Ellis's token commentary on society as we know it is clear right from point one, as we find that Inhumans, while recognized by the government, aren't protected by the same rights as 'normal' citizens, and Karnak is employed as an independent agent, operating outside the rules of SHIELD to track down the child that no one else is caring to find.

The dialogue is sharp, intelligent, and a joy to read. The potential plot may only be in its infancy, but it's gripping from the get-go, and Karnak's personality is clearly defined in every scene. A man of deep thoughtfulness, sardonic humor, and intense bitterness. Karnak refers to his unique perception as a curse, being profoundly aware of the flaws in all things, even that which is wonderful and beautiful. To Karnak, nothing can be perfect, as the flaws are the first thing he sees.
The art is nothing short of steller as well, Gerardo Zaffino's distinct style fitting the gritty theme perfectly, with rough edges and deep shadows, and Karnak himself being redesigned into a  significantly less 'cartoony' look from previous appearances. Zaffino is able to lend a feeling of movement and velocity to his art that is wonderfully demonstrative of Karnak's incredible precision.

Of everything I've picked up from Marvel's new season of books, Karnak is the one I was interested to read the least, yet found myself enjoying the most. It's a poignant reminder that a character previously of little to no interest, in the right hands can become something startlingly exciting.