Ehmm Theory (vol. 1): Cat, Quantum and Contrition and Ehmm Theory FCBD 2014 [Double Review!]
Action Lab: Danger Zone Comics
Writer: Brockton McKinney
Penciler: Larkin Ford
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Gabriel Ehmm was doing just fine until the morning he woke up… dead! Now, along with his talking kitten, Mr. Whispers, the two begin the wildest ride of their un-lives. Ehmm Theory Volume One collects the critically acclaimed mind-melting adventure that features pint-sized zombie clowns, giant cybernetic crustaceans, and a super-team of the bizarre! [From Wikipedia]
Review: The multiverse is a big, big thing. Endless, devastating, and... confusing. Gabriel Ehmm is finding all this out in just the worst way. He died, and now he's come back to life with his talking kitten in order to do the dirty work of Saint Peter himself!
McKinney and Ford spin a blast of a tale with Ehmm Theory and you can tell they're having a blast doing it. It's the kind of light-hearted reading that you just sit down for a good hour and burn right through it while laughing the whole way through. Seriously, I really did enjoy this comic and I'm excited to read more.
Oddly Gabriel and Mr. Whispers don't get a whole lot to do, and most of this volume is about them reacting to events rather than instigating them. By the end of the book there's still so much we don't know, but the set up is nice and it makes you want to come back for more. In fact, most of the side characters get more to do in this comic than Gabriel and Mr. Whispers do. The one thing both of these lug heads seem to do best is be their own personal comedic relief. And that's not too bad, they're still learning the ropes of the new world around them, and the secrets it harbors.
The story is pretty fast-paced. A little too fast-paced at times. By the end there's a character who, in my opinion, turns sides a little too easily and little too quickly for comfort. They seem genuine as well, so I doubt it's the story just messing with us. While Ehmm Theory is a pretty rad read, I think the creators playing fast and loose with the revelations and story is a couple marks against it.
There are a few occasions I wished they'd spent more time on this event, or they spent too much time on that event, or maybe this revelation shouldn't of came as quick as it had. There is also a flashback-within-a-flashback-within-a-flashback scene and I just never have been a fan of those.
All is well though; the characters are zany and fun, and almost every line all of them utter makes you want to laugh out loud. Mr. Whispers is probably the greatest character in this whole book. He's so great, and so funny to just listen to. There's also an incredibly bad ass Older Russian Lady named Alyona who I just love. My second favorite character of the story.
Ford's art is pretty great as well. But there are a few characters that suffer because he just doesn't seem to make them stand out enough. Gabriel and Mr. Whispers look very original even though they're very plain looking specimens, but the character who gets it the worst is Mindwolf. She really doesn't stand-out. I think that's the point, but she just looks... bad. She NEEDS more originality in her design, or at least some rhinoplasty for that nose of hers.
Overall though, I really like Ford's artwork and I think he fits the zanyness of the story quite well. Every character looks like they're having fun, even when their lives are in danger. He does a great job at designing the super-powered characters from G.O.D.D. that stand-out, and his landscaping is really good as well.
Action Lab: Danger Zone Comics
Writer: Brockton McKinney
Penciler: Larkin Ford
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Gabriel Ehmm was doing just fine until the morning he woke up… dead! Now, along with his talking kitten, Mr. Whispers, the two begin the wildest ride of their un-lives. Ehmm Theory Volume One collects the critically acclaimed mind-melting adventure that features pint-sized zombie clowns, giant cybernetic crustaceans, and a super-team of the bizarre! [From Wikipedia]
Review: The multiverse is a big, big thing. Endless, devastating, and... confusing. Gabriel Ehmm is finding all this out in just the worst way. He died, and now he's come back to life with his talking kitten in order to do the dirty work of Saint Peter himself!
McKinney and Ford spin a blast of a tale with Ehmm Theory and you can tell they're having a blast doing it. It's the kind of light-hearted reading that you just sit down for a good hour and burn right through it while laughing the whole way through. Seriously, I really did enjoy this comic and I'm excited to read more.
Oddly Gabriel and Mr. Whispers don't get a whole lot to do, and most of this volume is about them reacting to events rather than instigating them. By the end of the book there's still so much we don't know, but the set up is nice and it makes you want to come back for more. In fact, most of the side characters get more to do in this comic than Gabriel and Mr. Whispers do. The one thing both of these lug heads seem to do best is be their own personal comedic relief. And that's not too bad, they're still learning the ropes of the new world around them, and the secrets it harbors.
The story is pretty fast-paced. A little too fast-paced at times. By the end there's a character who, in my opinion, turns sides a little too easily and little too quickly for comfort. They seem genuine as well, so I doubt it's the story just messing with us. While Ehmm Theory is a pretty rad read, I think the creators playing fast and loose with the revelations and story is a couple marks against it.
There are a few occasions I wished they'd spent more time on this event, or they spent too much time on that event, or maybe this revelation shouldn't of came as quick as it had. There is also a flashback-within-a-flashback-within-a-flashback scene and I just never have been a fan of those.
All is well though; the characters are zany and fun, and almost every line all of them utter makes you want to laugh out loud. Mr. Whispers is probably the greatest character in this whole book. He's so great, and so funny to just listen to. There's also an incredibly bad ass Older Russian Lady named Alyona who I just love. My second favorite character of the story.
Ford's art is pretty great as well. But there are a few characters that suffer because he just doesn't seem to make them stand out enough. Gabriel and Mr. Whispers look very original even though they're very plain looking specimens, but the character who gets it the worst is Mindwolf. She really doesn't stand-out. I think that's the point, but she just looks... bad. She NEEDS more originality in her design, or at least some rhinoplasty for that nose of hers.
Overall though, I really like Ford's artwork and I think he fits the zanyness of the story quite well. Every character looks like they're having fun, even when their lives are in danger. He does a great job at designing the super-powered characters from G.O.D.D. that stand-out, and his landscaping is really good as well.
Both creators bring their game again for this year's FCBD issue of Ehmm Theory that sees a preview of vol. 2 of the series. And actually features an evil alternate reality version of both Gabriel and Mr. Whispers – who in this adventure is called Dr. Whiskers. I had tried reading this preview before reading Ehmm Theory vol. 1, but it really wasn't new-reader friendly. And that is a problem, as there was no small catching up blurb, or general synopsis for the series. You're kind of just thrown in, and if you know who these characters are – great! If you don't – good luck!
After having re-read it though, I really do enjoy this preview. It's enticing and it makes you wonder what's coming next. Everthing is different and you're not sure where Mindwolf has found herself in this alternate reality. Speaking of, Mindwolf actually looks kind of like what I'd want her to have looked like in the main series. Her nose accentuates her obvious Indian heritage more and makes her look slightly more interesting now, whereas before it just looked really off to me.
Evil Gabe and Dr. Whiskers are a lot of fun, their potty mouths are still there; and it's funnier because in the FCBD issue their words are censored which makes for an even more fun read. I'm actually hoping to see these two characters cross paths with our wayward heroes, because I can almost imagine the hilarity that would ensue. Imagining both parties switching partners for a short period, it'd create some very interesting situations I'd love to see. Who knows if that will happen.
I like Ehmm Theory. It's billed as something perfect for fans of Y: The Last Man and Doctor Who and I agree. If you like fun-loving humor, something that's a pretty quick read and just a lot of fun to read. As well as an intriguing build-up, you'll like this. I'm excited for what comes next, and will definitely be checking out vol. 2.
Final Score: 4 Alternate Mr. Whispers out of 5
After having re-read it though, I really do enjoy this preview. It's enticing and it makes you wonder what's coming next. Everthing is different and you're not sure where Mindwolf has found herself in this alternate reality. Speaking of, Mindwolf actually looks kind of like what I'd want her to have looked like in the main series. Her nose accentuates her obvious Indian heritage more and makes her look slightly more interesting now, whereas before it just looked really off to me.
Evil Gabe and Dr. Whiskers are a lot of fun, their potty mouths are still there; and it's funnier because in the FCBD issue their words are censored which makes for an even more fun read. I'm actually hoping to see these two characters cross paths with our wayward heroes, because I can almost imagine the hilarity that would ensue. Imagining both parties switching partners for a short period, it'd create some very interesting situations I'd love to see. Who knows if that will happen.
I like Ehmm Theory. It's billed as something perfect for fans of Y: The Last Man and Doctor Who and I agree. If you like fun-loving humor, something that's a pretty quick read and just a lot of fun to read. As well as an intriguing build-up, you'll like this. I'm excited for what comes next, and will definitely be checking out vol. 2.
Final Score: 4 Alternate Mr. Whispers out of 5