Eric's Slave Labor Comic Review: PEABODY & D'GORATH #1
As part of their new "digital only" initiative, Slave Labor Graphics has decided to release the first issue of MD Penman's Peabody & D'Gorath #1 free of charge. But is it any good? With British sensibility in comedic timing and a smart approach to action, the relic hunter story is definitely worth a look.
Digital distribution has become a double edged sword for any artistic industry, including comics. There are pesky internet pirates and an over-saturation of product. However, the benefits are self-evident, especially as the marketplace opens up to smaller, more experimental projects, such as the smash hit Axe Cop. Such is the nature of Slave Labor Graphics' horror/comedy/action title Peabody and D'Gorath #1 from creator MD Penman (Thought Bubble Anthology), which is being offered for free on the publisher's website. Being without cost doesn't inherently make it good, though, and the writer works hard to ensure that his work isn't taken for granted. The script is tight and witty using the absurdity of its supernatural subject matter to great effect. It can get a bit wordy at times, but much of this is necessary in order to introduce characters, evil deities, and other wild elements in the first issue. Pacing is also kept trucking along with a lilting British sensibility without delving deeply into colloquialism. This is extremely important as the plot crescendos into ever-growing action. Another positive is in how the book eschews an origin for a more established titular duo who have been at this treasure hunting business for some time now. Thus, there's little boring exposition or slow character introductions and it also means that there's plenty story yet to cover.
The most pressing critique with this book is that it could use just a bit more polish. Many could get through the comic without noticing them, but there are a few small typos and places where some editing would help the overall flow. The same could be said of many full-price comics, so its hard to find that much fault here and the problems are minimal at worst.
The art needs to be considered in the context of the plot. Without spoiling too much, the heroes must attend a ritual with a uniform dress code in the first 3/4 of the comic. Given that all of the characters are wearing the same thing for a large portion of the book, it may seem that dynamic on a superficial level, even though it makes sense to the story. It should be noted, though, that Penman works in quite a bit of body types (and one awesome mustache) to make things fun. The art style is deceptively simplistic and cartoony to the benefit of energy and accessibility, yet environments can be highly detailed. There's good work done with the visual humor to support the text with nice dramatic gestures.
Also, it's free. Slave Labor Comics is planning on releasing subsequent issues exclusively through digital distribution through Comixology and iTunes for 99¢ with a possible TPB in te works if it catches on. While there are a few subtle critiques, this is a great time to try out something new and fun on the cheap.
Story: MD Penman
Art: MD Penman & Andrew Tunney
Cover: MD Penman & Andrew Tunney
29 Pages/FC
FREE!!!
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