HEY KIDS! COMICS!

Publisher: Image Comics

Writer & Artist: Howard Chaykin
Colorist: Wil Quintana
Letterer: Ken Bruzenak
Cover: Don Cameron

Um, Wow. Dead pan look to face, unsure how to feel or think.

This is how I felt after reading the first issue of Howard Chaykin’s HEY KIDS! COMICS!

There is no doubt in my mind that this might be the most polarizing title I have read in years, if not possible the most controversial.

What is HEY KIDS! COMICS!? It’s kind of hard to explain, especially in a nut shell.





It explores the Dynamics of comic book history through the eyes of a handful of creators starting at the end of World War II through to the 1980’s.

It’s a very harsh and brutal take, but possibly very real as well. Showcasing the struggles of creators to find work, keep work, and do meaningful work, while deriding the work they often do (Sci-Fi, Super Hero, Horror) as kid’s stuff.

Be forewarned, a lot of the creator opinions expressed in the title toward super heroes, sci-fi and horror are not kind. That doesn’t mean they are Chaykin’s opinion, but the opinion of the characters.

The title is obviously based on real life comics’ history, but fictionalize. The characters in the title based on actual people and the talked about rivalry between ‘Verve’ and ‘Yankee Comics’ is reminiscent of DC and Marvel.

My problem is that I’m not sure what I think of the book – and that is neither good nor bad.

The art itself is amongst the best of Chaykin’s career. It is a beautifully drawn and realized title. The artwork seems subdued and restrain for Chaykin, but still recognizable as his own.

It’s the story that leaves me unsure. It jumps around a lot over a few decades, but a story like this has to do that. Expecting something linear is wanting. The characters are well done and the strongest part of the writing.

It may by the characters themselves and what they express about comics that leaves me unsure as to how I feel.

There is one thing I am sure about, this title will stay with you long after reading and won’t soon be forgotten. It could be the kick in the ass the comic book industry needs, and the last thing we want.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Unsure. I need to see what Chaykin does next issue. However, I do suggest everyone read this book, if for nothing more to see a different, perhaps more real, take on comic book history then normally presented.

Ace Masters.