ZIGGY PIG / SILLY SEAL COMICS #1 MARVEL COMICS
In the fall of 1944, Marvel (then Timely) Comics began their stable of funny animal characters that were becoming all the rage. Aside from Super Rabbit starring in his own title as well as Ideal Comics, the wacky antics of Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal were presented in their own title. And while I am a huge fan of bringing back the old stars for a touching one-shot of mini-series, Marvel didn’t do these master entertainers of the slapstick genre any service. The well worn tale of the comedy duo gone bad only to be reunited is showing holes in the knees here. The only highpoint is when guest star Doctor Doom reveals his shire wall to the two. One other disturbing trend here is the fact that Ziggy and Silly live in the real world with real humans. Why does it seem like funny animal characters simply cannot live in the funny animal world? I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
BLACK HAMMER ’45 DARK HORSE COMICS
Dark Horse strikes again! Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes wonderfully charming flashback tale filled with humor and emotion! The group of fighters who have a lot in common with DC Comics Blackhawks makes for a very interesting read. And while Matt Kindt’s art does take a little getting used to, it does add to the sketchbook feeling that makes certain pages feel as if they were drawn by one of the pilots at the time. This one is out of the park! I give it a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
