Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: And Then There Was Lobo!
Written by: Keith Giffen
Penciled by: Alex Horley
Inked by: Alex Horley
Title sequence art: Byron Vaughns with J.D. Mettler
Colored by: N/A
Lettered by: Tom Orzechowski
Editor: Dan DiDio
Publisher: DC Comics
I am by no means a Lobo enthusiast, but I’ve read my fair share of Lobo stories. The character is one of the shallowest ever created; essentially he’s Wolverine without the character development. Yet when I learned that Keith Giffen would be returning to the character he popularized, and returning him to what he originally was, I just had to be there. This book certainly will not be nominated for any Eisner Awards this year; but it surely is a wonderful guilty pleasure.
While at the Wizardworld East convention recently, editor Dan DiDio mentioned that the book was not carrying a mature readers label for the hell of it. Add that to Giffen’s promise that Lobo’s toned down ongoing series would be forgotten. Let’s just say neither guy should be called a liar, this book delivers what it promises. In this issue alone, Lobo is battered by a huge pair of testicles, and must procure the contract for his next assignment from the holiest of holes. I almost think I should be offended, but of course I’m incapable of being offended by a comic.
There’s not a lot of meat, with regards to storytelling or interesting plot devices. Instead this book has deconstructed Lobo and put him back together as exactly what originally excited the comic reading population. Lobo is out to reclaim his title as the meanest “dog†on the block, and he’s willing to collect any bounties necessary. The greater story that is at work here is only vaguely referenced in this first issue. Don’t read it for any other reason than sheer entertainment of the lowest common denominator.
Alex Horley’s painted artwork is beautiful. The interplanetary locations Lobo travels to are lent a wonderful cinematic feel. The only complaint I could possibly make is that Lobo looks like Rob Zombie. When discussing the artwork, it would be unfair to leave out mention of the fine “Sunday Funnies†styled origin of Lobo presented on the first three pages. Vaughns and Mettler’s work is hilarious and so out of place that it’s absolutely perfect.
This book isn’t for everyone, but if you’re a fan of vulgar humor with no redeeming qualities, then this is the book for you. Don’t remember Lobo from the 90’s when DC did their best impersonation of Marvel, with Spider-Man, Punisher, Wolverine, Ghost Rider, or any one of dozens of other characters, by putting Lobo into every book possible. This isn’t your little brother’s Lobo; hell this comic could make Andrew Dice Clay blush.
