Reviewer: Jamie Hatton
Story Title: You Gotta Be Kiddin’ Me: Part 3
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Penciled by: Clayton Henry
Inked by: Mark Morales
Colored by: Andy Troy
Lettered by: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
I was very tentative when I heard that they were redoing Alpha Flight, as their last attempt by Steven Seagle was one of my favorite books of it’s time, but sadly only lasted a mere 20 or so issues. I enjoy the idea of a Canadian super-team, and it had Scott Lobdell attached to it. I hoped he might be the guy that gives them their time in the spotlight. I’m still hoping to find out, but I’m doubting.
Story!
This story arc is cute. It’s not groundbreaking, and it’s not going to win an Eisner, but it’s cute. Thus far, we’ve been introduced to the new batch of Flighters and we are now getting into what happened to the original team. We know they are out there and they are being held by the Plodex, an alien race bent on war. This issue defines the Plodex in their entirety.
Where their explanation IS comical, it’s not exactly logical. He goes into great detail to explain how they are a race of gladiators and all they wish to do is conquer each other. One of them has the bright idea to not conquer each other, but conquer the galaxy instead. They agree, and then promptly kill that first leader. Amusing, but it’s not a few panels later that they are space jumping all over the place.
Lobdell even goes as far to let you know that centuries are passing through this history lesson, but it still seems a bit far fetched.
I dig on a comic book that doesn’t take itself seriously, and this book most definitely doesn’t, but the comedy seems a bit forced. Sadly, the funniest part of this issue, for me, was the first page explanation of the last two issues. I hope that Scott L. is still trying to learn his new characters, and by the second story arc it will fall into place. There are some great comedy characters in there (Major Mapleleaf.. come on!), but they aren’t as
good as they could be.
Art!
The art fits the book. Simple, vibrant, and cartoony. I’m a big fan of Chris Bachalo, and Joe Maduiera, so I’m right at home with this. Every character has distinctive markings and looks, and the backgrounds are simple and to the point. This issue mainly focused on characters from the Plodex’s history, so no real consistency was necessary.
Overall
It’s not a filler issue, but as I’ve said before, you aren’t getting what is going to be considered a true classic. If you like Alpha Flight, I’m sure you are at least going to give it to the end of this arc. If you are just trying to find a new superhero team to latch onto, this might not be for you.
