Review: Comeback Kings #1
How’s this for a dizzying high concept? Bruce Lee never died, but in fact went into hiding, and formed a covert super-team filled with other not-really-dead celebrities, including Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison, Andy Kaufman and Tupac Shakur, and together they use their intimite knowledge of the entertainment industry to solve high-stakes crimes and global conspiracies. That’s the delicious premise offered by Comeback Kings, the comic co-written by Matt Sullivan and Gabe Guarente and drawn by Ethan Young. And it’s every bit as fun and absolutely mental as you’d imagine.
This may sound surprising to some, but a concept like this is one that could very easily result in a crap comic. Often, when a comic is sold on a high concept, there is a temptation to coast along on that one joke, without feeling to cobble together and plot or characterisation beyond the elevator pitch that got everyone in the door. Fortunately, this is not the case with Comeback Kings #1. This is presented as a classic getting-the-gang-together opening chapter, as we are (re)introduced to each member of the ensemble and where their lives since their respective deaths have taken them. Perhaps most interesting of these was Tupac, who in his new life has become a high school drama teacher, and disapproves of his daughter listening to modern hip-hop.
Sullivan and Guarente also score points for the perfect choice of antagonist. Here we have a team of pop culture icons recognised globally as being geniuses in their respective disciplines. And what better antithesis for genuine talent and artistic craft than the vapid celebrity of modern reality TV and talent shows? The figurehead for this tide of glossy mediocrity is media tycoon Abel Kane, who makes for a suitably hissable villain in his brief appearance here. It’s a solid premise, and despite the occasional instance of on-the-nose dialogue, I’d definitely be intrigued to see how this story and central conflict develops.
The art also has an easy trap it could have fallen into, namely relying on photo referencing to bring its iconic cast to life. But Ethan Young wisely avoids taking this route, going for a more cartoony style where the characters are still instantly identifiable as their real-life counterparts, but as caricature, and injected with the energy of Young’s own style. This gives them a lot more life and vibrancy than a hyper-detailed photo-referencing style, which can too often feel flat and devoid of drama.
In conclusion, Comeback Kings #1 has a great idea, well executed. Definitely worth a look. Oh, and watch out for a surprise cameo at the end!
***
Writers: Matt Sullivan, Gabe Guarente
Artist: Ethan Young
Letterer: Richard Enims
Editor: Brendan Deneen
E-I-C: Mike Grell
Assistant Editors: PJ Feffer, Zach Frankel
Publishers: Brendan Deneen, Richard Enims, Ardden Entertainment
Synopsis: Bruce Lee. Jim Morrison. Elvis Presley. Andy Kaufman. Tupac Shakur. All controversial cultural icons who died before their time. Or did they?
The popular mythology that these incendiary artists may’ve faked their own deaths is the jumping off point for Comeback Kings, an exciting comic which finds the legends alive and well, part of Project Resurrection, a global crime-fighting unit that’s a cross between The League Of Extraordinary Gentleman—and Celebrity Rehab. They’re the world’s most famous dead superstars—and they’re living superspies? Yep—and that’s when things really start to get wild.
When a terroristic reality tv supervillain plans to extend his 15 minutes of fame by making a play for infamy via a Hollywood holocaust, the Comeback Kings must put aside their differences and reunite for an encore in order to stop him. The show must go on!
Comeback Kings #1 is now on sale from the official website of Arrden Entertainment.
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Category: Comics, The Creator-Owned Zone
Well done guys. Comic is great. Keep them coming.
Good review, and I’m sold. Sounds like a fun read.