This Comic Kicks!!!

OK, OK. So I bought into all the internet hype regarding this comic. Really, it sounded like one of those tales that's just too good to pass up. I suppose having Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.'s names on the title was also a deciding factor in my decision to buy this comic series. By now I figure everyone on the planet knows the name of the book I'm talking about. Just take a look at the pictures in this blog entry. Still need me to mention the name? I, um, don't remember it. The name escapes me. Rhymes with lass. Alright I lied. Truth is I'm one of those old-fashioned types that prefers not to use curse words. Sue me! This is what I'm talking about. Now all six people who didn't know what I was talking about are up to speed.

When I wanted to pick up the first issue of this comic, my shop didn't have any copies left. That sucker was sold out. So I came back a few weeks later and Icon had released a second printing. By that time, issue 2 was already out. Would you believe I still didn't buy the issues at the time? 'Tis true. Well this past Saturday when I was looking through the bins for Spider-Man comics, a good friend of mine was picking up some books and I talked him into buying issues 1 and 2. I figured I may as well practice what I preached and get them the first two issues right then and there.

Dave Lizeski is like many of us. He plays video games and he loves himself some comic books. He also wants to be a super hero. Why? He didn't watch his parents get murdered by some punk looking for some quick dough. He wasn't sent to Earth in a rocket ship to be spared the fate of a doomed planet. He wasn't a social outcast that got bitten by a radioactive spider and then failed his family by letting a crook get away. If none of that happened to him then why would he want to be a super hero? The same reason the thought of being one occurred to many of us: it would be cool.

Be honest, if you've read a comic book, you've entertained the idea of being a super hero at one point in your life. I know I have. When I was 14 years old, I actually was in the process of making myself a generic Spider-Man costume. I even went outside around my house at night. Yeah, never made it too rooftop levels like Dave here, but were no tall buildings where I lived so that part was completely out of my hands. But I digress.

Right off the bat, Dave is a very likable character. He's into Buffy, X-Men, Spider-Man, etc. In fact, the references to all of these things helped suck me into this comic all the more. Like the rest of us, Dave has no super powers and while Batman may have years of experience behind him, he's still just a human being and so is Dave. When Dave decides to stop some vandals, he gets the blood beaten out of him. Adding to his injuries is a hit and run by some heartless broads. In all likely hood, this could happen to any of us, which could be the reason why we don't put on the tights.

The image to the right would probably scare quiet a few folks from ever doing anything so foolish. A foolish as it was, I can't help but have some admiration for Dave's actions. The kid did follow his dreams even if they led to some nasty injuries and a six month long recovery.

Dave decided to give up being a super hero when he was well again. He even burned all of his comics. Too bad for Dave, there's a bit of Spider-Man in him because he was quickly back in costume, patrolling the streets, and wouldn't you know it, he finds trouble again. A man was getting a thrashing until he stepped in and did something about it, of course he didn't come out of it unscathed. His exploits were even caught on video, which will be uploaded on YouTube. Dave is undoubtedly in for more trouble but I was proud of him for his victory at the end of issue 2.

Needless to say, I love this comic. It is quickly turning out to be one of the best mini-series I've ever read. I have never seen John Romita Jr.'s artwork look this astounding, and that is saying a lot. The third issue can't get here soon enough.