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Animation:
Doris Danger Giant Monster Adventures!
Any true comics
fan has at least a passing knowledge of the monster comics
published by Timely/Marvel Comics in the late ‘50's
and early ‘60's. These comics have become famous,
and quite admired by some, for their corny, over-the-top
drama, goofy monster names and indefinable charm. Very nearly
a parody of themselves, they are the definition of “kitsch”.
I say “very
nearly” because, as parodies of those curiously classic
tales are concerned, Chris Wisnia has set the standard with
his wonderfully whimsical digest-format graphic novel, Doris
Danger Giant Monster Adventures!. While spoofs of this material
have been done in the past, none have offered the humor,
the creativity, and the sheer (strange as it may be) imagination
of DDGMA.
The entertainment
is found, not only in the ridiculously see-through “intelligence”
of the various government agencies, seeking to cover up
the existence of giant monsters, the incredibly overdone
“backwoodsy-ness” of the “redneck vigilantes”,
or even the uncanny ability of the “Monster Liberation
Army” to show up and accomplish..., well, not much.
The mirth also resides in the “letters pages”
of the book, in which readers castigate the creators for
the third-rate nature of Doris Dangers’ adventures,
while the company spokesman cordially thanks them for their
feedback, while assuring them of the comic book’s
non-fictional nature.
Combine the
above with...,
- monster names
such as “Spluhh”, “Spanko”, “Goopoopoo”,
“Krakapoo”, “Snehsneh” and “Peeka
Peeka” (the Peeping Tom of Mt. Rushmore)
- lettered sound
effects like “KA-DOOSH”, “AAIGHEE”,
“ZHA HA-ZA” and “CUH-BLOING”
- and tag lines
the likes of, “What terrible grand scheme has Doris
stumbled onto? Find out next week, if you care!”
...and you have
rib-tickling humor of a nearly-inexplicable nature. Thankfully,
entertainment of this type needs no explanation to be enjoyed.
Doris
Danger Giant Monster Adventures is highly recommended, not
only for fans of the reference material, but also those
who admire the old B movies which inspired them, Silver
Age comics, well-done parodies and the work of Jack Kirby.
96 Pages / B&W / Digest-Sized 5”x7.5”
/ Young Adult / $9.95
IN STORES NOVEMBER 2009!
Diamond Previews code: SEP090572
ISBN-13: 9781593621803
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