The Knuckleheads are back again and still at it, haphazardly trying to save the day and getting mixed up way over their heads in misadventures of minuscule, and galactic, proportions. And, they’re still doing all of it with an insane amount of wit and cleverness, making them one of the most entertaining superhero teams around . . . even though only one of them actually has superpowers . . . which he doesn’t really quite know how to control. But, that’s okay, because writer Brian Winkeler and artist Robert Wilson IV are in complete control of their story and characters and in this, the sixth Knuckleheads issue, they are moving their heroes, Trev, Lance, Guy, and Emma, way outside of their comfort zones, but not before Trev makes friends with a particularly vocal Welsh Corgi. It is obvious from this issue that Winkeler and Wilson IV plan to prove that in outer space, everyone can hear you laugh.
The visual comedy brought to life by Wilson IV’s consistently solid and humorous art comes fast and furious in this issue, as Trev attempts to master the powers of the Crystal Fist with hilarious montage results. Add to that Guy’s plan to put together a handheld-shot documentary of Trev’s transformation from schlub to schlubby superhero and a plethora of pop culture references, of which Knuckleheads is renowned for in the circles I travel in, and you have a comedic cocktail that you want to order again and again, because you discover something new every time you knock one back, and you know it’ll lay you out with laughter. Jordan Boyd keeps up the good work as colorist, giving us bright colors that make the everyday world around the heroes pop. Thomas Mauer’s lettering continues to deliver Winkeler’s writing in perfectly structured word balloons that lets the dialogue flow smoothly between the characters.
As a bonus, Winkeler provides an insider’s glimpse into the creation of issue six’s story, showing how wonderfully connected the comic book world is and revealing a camaraderie with fellow Monkeybrain Comics creators, and other comics creators, as well . Also, the work of everyone that Winkeler mentions is worth your time to check out, because, as we all know, quality travels in packs. Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention the personal pleasure I got out of the Lassie-themed story segment. As a grown-up Timmy myself, that whole thing resonated with me deeply, and I almost felt the jokes were just for me, and there is certainly no better selfish feeling than that. I have always wondered why a Timmy is always the one in trouble, and while Knuckleheads doesn’t answer that question, it at least raises it, and for past, present, and future Timmys everywhere, there is no more important social commentary. Well, it seems I’ve made this review all about me, which means Trev and I would probably get along great, and it also means you need to head over to monkeybraincomics.com and start to make Knuckleheads all about you too, if you haven’t already. You know you can never have too many funny, self-centered, slightly dimwitted friends, comic book characters or not, because, without them, life wouldn’t be as exciting, or nearly as much fun.
