Lackadaisy (Tracy Butler, 2008) comic review

by Rafael Takara

Link: http://lackadaisy.foxprints.com/

       This review will focus on volume 1 of Lackadaisy. The lackadaisy webcomic is set in the beginning of the 20^th century America specifically in 1920 at St. Louis. The history is told with anthropomorphic cats though they still retain many feline characteristics so they still feel cartoony. At this period of the American history, the alcohol prohibition law was under effect so the tale revolves around illegal underground alcohol operation by gangs. The themes presented in the comic are darker like alcohol smuggling, urban violence, and gang’s conflicts but there are moments of comedy throughout the comic to alleviate the tension as well executed action sequences.

       There are many characters in Lackadaisy world and all are well constructed with interesting personalities. Mitzi is the widow of Atlas, the former owner of Lackadaisy speakeasy (the illegal alcohol joint). She is the heir to Lackadaisy and the joint owner. She has a charming mysterious personality. Rocky is the main employer of the speakeasy. He is a lively and reckless but entertaining character. He has a good heart despite working in an illegal activity.  His good-humour is what makes him so entertaining. His cousin Calvin has the opposite personality. He is timid, has good manners, diligent and also is extremely skilled using guns. He is almost unintentionally taken to the crime world by Rocky. 

       The plot revolves mostly around Lackadaisy and its workers struggling to survive the prohibition law and trying to make a living while fighting with rival gang Marigold. Rocky is the highlighted in this first part as he is the alcohol obtainer for the firm and is shown in many opportunities trying to escape risky situations and to protect his friends.  

        The artwork is well done and very detailed. It is possible to see the effort put by the author in the comic by noting the attention to detail and historical research that she put into this work. The detailed backgrounds stand out like the buildings or the old bedroom (see image below). Objects from the period of time like old car models are drawn in great detail. The cats are all dressed in clothing style according to the 1920’s, like tuxedos, top hats, canes, dresses, ornaments (see image below). The vocabulary is also peculiar to the gangster slang of that period of history. In fact, a glossary is included in the site to clear some specific terms used. The lack of colour is probably to match the films of that era and help set the mood for the story.

        There is a good panel variety of size and shape that helps keep the narrative interesting. (see example below). Also, it can be seen many times the use of artwork extrapolating the panels. These effects help highlight a character’s action and make the comic feel more vibrant and fresh.

        All in all, Lackadaisy is a worthwhile webcomic. The artwork is exceptional; the characters well thought out and full of appeal. The plot develops slowly but it also means the characters are well developed. The dialogue is intelligent and humorous though sometimes a bit excessive in length. 

Review Mega Tokyo

 megatokyo.com

Mega Tokyo is a running graphic novel based on two characters Piro and Largo; who are both gamers who go to Japan (the "Mecca" for gamers), but become stuck there because they have ran out of money. The novel then illustrates their adventures in Japan; which turn out to be hilarious because of how their characters are portrayed. The graphic novel was written and illustrated by Fred Gallagher. It was first published in 14 August, 2000. During this time, gaming was still quite big and expanding within the public, especially the youth. Gallagher mentions a lot of game "titles" whilst telling the adventures of Piro and Largo. For example when Piro and Largo, were at the airport's gate to enter Japan; they had to play Mortal Kombat and beat this guy dressed as if he was going to a Comic Con and win, because one of them forgot their passports.

From this point and onwards the graphic novel then on their personalities as characters. After maxing out their credit cards on shopping for games and gaming stuff; they are now stuck in Japan and are now looking for a place to crash. After several calls and rejections, they meet Tsubasa, a friend of Piro, who lives in Shinjiku who lets them to stay at their place. Gallagher then uses transitions to create humor:

 Much of the content is consistent; other uses of the transition also is used to introduce new characters within the comic. However there are some panels in which the drawings are different. Instead we have a totally abstracted art; just so that the writers can speak their mind.


The humor is sometimes based on the clumsiness of the protagonists; with struggles of finance being the antagonist. Also we learn of their personalities; at one point tried to make meth, but failed, because they needed money. And whenever they had money, instead of using it for the right task, they end up using it on games and gaming stuff. As if they live in an endless cycle; and through this novel, during that elliptical path we learn about their characters.

To conclude, as a gamer myself, this was a nice read; and we can tell that the creators are gamers to an extent. At one point, depicting the people behind the business aspects of the gaming industry to be evil, even more than the devil. So, in a sense, Gallagher is trying to say that there could be people like this "hardcore gamers"; who have financial issues due to gaming.

Missing in action

Graphic novel "Missing in action" was written by Desmond Serrotore. It is very short, 8 pages novel. Story takes place in America during the Civil War. Recruit plays the main character in it. He got special mission to scout out enemy’s position. During the storyline main character contacted only with captain.

So on his way he found an excellent position and decided to snipe there, but unfortunately he got revealed and shot down with the enemy’s cannon. The soldier survives the rubble but gets into more trouble. He got engulfed with beams. In hope of to be saved, he decided to sleep for a while to save energy. But soon he confront more serious problem. Rats that will eat him soon after we would take the step to shoot himself instead of got eaten. 

This novel had colouring in the panels which I felt gave off a very like classic style painting. Motion lines were used again like in the other novel. Instead of using word bubbles they were replaced by word “Quotes”. The Narration is mostly done by the main character except for the beginning front page. Sound effects were also utilized in this novel and the colouring and shading was also done in a way that would leak outside of the panelling. Though this story is very short but it’s worth to read.

http://desmondserratore.com/msng/pg-01.html

The Adventures of Dr. McNinja

The Adventures of Dr. McNinja: http://drmcninja.com


Written and illustrated by Christopher Hastings creates a hillarious comic which uses a lot of plot twists to create humor; in which each issues can be read in one sitting. So here I will review 3 issues of his graphic novel. He uses "parody art"; and various very random and ridiculous situations to create humor within the Graphic Novel. For example, in the "Issue One half"; Dr. Mcninja is mad at the restaurant "McBonalds" for using his name in their business movements; Mcninja was going to boost their sales within the youth (like Happy Meal) in which Hastings illustrates a commercial on TV; which triggered Mcninja's actions on the following events . Dr. McNinja then goes to the restaurant to cause havoc, but doesn't kill anyone (because he promised his lawyer not to), however he figures out that the people who worked there were robots, because people who worked there must be robots. Hastings then illustrates it as if a video game; now Mcninja has to face the mascot of McBonalds. In which a battle was fought in a "final boss lair"... which is also in the restaurant. The use of violence to envoy humor is used a lot in this graphic novel.
 

 The graphic novel has 28 issues all of which are available online. However, the comic's issues do not follow a chronological order. Rather some comics explain McNinja's origin within the comic; in turn we learn more of his character. The adventures of McNinja started to have colors during 2008; also, though the material is bizzare/ridiculous the illustration by Hastings through his drawing's style were consistent (the theme and setting is always random funny events usually in everyday places, but with odd characters and odd situations; which in turn creates a consistent theme; a page turner because you never know what's going to happen next). The graphic novel's art was abstract enough to make it look cartoon-ish, and also keeps up with the comedy of the graphic novel. Overall the graphic novel is pretty much gives similar to a Seth McFarlane based comedic show- feel; just with more ninjas and ridiculous characters and tons of plot twists. Definitely a must read for those looking for a funny graphic novel.