Larfleeze #1

The Team
Writer J.M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen Artist Scott Kolins

Your enjoyment of Larfleeze is dependent on one thing, do you like the character? For those that give a resounding yes I see no reason why this comic would disappoint. It is like nothing else that DC Comics is publishing in their line at this point. Filled with pure fun that above all meant to make the reader laugh, as opposed to giving them a story filled with dramatic beats. While this story is well written and drawn, it is hard to shake one base fact about the character. He is a mean creature, Larfleeze will murder an innocent without a care in the world. He is also a horribly arrogant and deceitful alien who is at a point just despicable, and this comic series is completely based around him. The material here surprisingly is interesting and quite funny, the spunky butler that is there to criticize the protagonist at every beat of the story is amusing. It’s this small touch of realism that grounds the book and lets the humor start to come together at an amusing point. This title has no problem getting really dark at some strange moments here. While it should be applauded for willing to go to some of the deeper holes in the series, it makes this unlikeable character even harder for readers to connect with. At the end of the day an anti-hero at least has to be interesting enough to follow towards the duration of a series.

Another notable touch of the story here, is that it features the return of the longtime creative team of J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen as writers on the title. The two are known for their excellent 5 year plus run on the comedic incarnation of Justice League. This seems like the ideal book for the pair, as they are interested in comedy yet are still able to go to some of the darker places here. The two both have proved that they have the writing chops to go for some darker drama as well. It is also refreshing to have a title like this among The New 52 which features superheroes draped in shadows and darkness. The origin of this character is represented here, and is an interesting note to touch on the first issue. Towards the end there is a confrontation that is very humorously presented to the reader. Touches like this leave the future of the title more open ended. On the last page a new addition to the orange lantern mythology is teased. This wider scope makes this series easier to justify as an ongoing series.

Scott Kolins work here suits the issue well. The pages are presented in a clean fashion that makes things easier to follow. The flashbacks have these strange panel borders that makes them easier to distinguish from the framing device used here. Jagged lines sometimes make this book a little harder to digest, also the fact this art looks so traditional for a story such as this one is a blessing and a curse. The style of Scott Kolins is starting to seem a little dated by today’s standards, or maybe simply this a style of drawing that is not as popular. Either way the artist gets the job done here in a tone that suits the book quite well, even if he is not my favorite penciller working in comics.

This is a good way to launch a series and get DeMatteis and Giffen on a title together in the newer DCU. If fans are interested in getting deeper into the character of Larfleeze this title should offer them enjoyment. For those who are buying this based on the creative team, the upcoming Justice League 3000 title may be more for them.