Quantum And Woody #8

James Asmus - Writer

Ming Doyle - Artist

Jordie Bellaire - Colors

Dave Lanphear - Letters

Alejandro Arbona - Editor

Warren Simmons - Executive Editor

 

The current arc of Quantum & Woody has had it’s fair share of problems, as has the one before it in terms of creating unique adversaries for the two characters. While this title definitely lacks in terms of the bare bones plot in the tale, it always more than makes up for that department with the interesting layered jokes that peppered throughout the issue. In the strange world that this comic is based around nothing is exactly as it seems, and watching these different scenes play out in such a manner will thrill readers. The dramatic material hidden away within the character of Quantum that occurs halfway through the saga is the kind of surprise that will keep fans interested here aside from the jokes. There is a narrative surrounding this series that revolves around a slacker and someone who never seems to fit in anywhere. The extended metaphor grounds the series in reality and always makes the book interesting, even when it is not firing on all cylinders and features some troubling material that is located within this current arc.

 

If there is anything that comics have hard a time with, it’s comedies. If there is a second thing, it would probably be politics. By meshing these two ideas together this tale can almost have a split personality at times, but it still has a certain joke that is placed in just the right moment in the story to keep readers adequately engaged. Even those that are not riveted by the material being presented here should find something to laugh at. Author James Asmus has a handle on how this series should work, without stepping on the toes of Christopher Priest. The tale uses a plot thread from the first arc to entangle Quantum & Woody into semi-political warfare that also features some interesting white supremacist characters. Due to such a limited knowledge about the subject of politics that most comic book fans have, this arc in particular may feel slightly alienating towards the average reader, even if there is only basic knowledge of how the government works in order to read this series. Asmus wraps this tale up in a satisfactory manner that does not feel rushed, and sets up a new status quota for each member of the league.

 

Illustrator Ming Doyle’s pencils are quite pleasant, but the approach to the series is still jarring after spending so many issues with Tom Fowler. The style has many rounded lines that has made this arc feel slightly too removed from the first story to really matter. This problem is very specific, and a criticism on what objectively is good art. The take on the world’s worst superheroes from a different artist has been very intriguing thus far, and has also managed to perfectly personify some of the different humourous quirks that many artists would lack.

After coming out a of a rough arc, Quantum & Woody still has some room to grow into something incredible, and still remains an extremely enjoyable read, even after eight months.