‘Goof: Issues 1-3’ Comic Review
Written by Guy Hasson | Art by Guillermo Ramirez (#1), Borja Pindado (#2 & #3) | Published by New Worlds Comics | Format: Digital Only
Whilst skewering the conventions of the superhero genre in comic books has become if not old hat then certainly well-trodden ground, that isn’t to say there isn’t still fun to be had in pointing the finger at our spandex-clad warriors of justice and having a giggle at their inherent ridiculousness. The genre has erroneously become near synonymous with the medium, so bringing po-faced crime-fighters down a peg or two feels like just deserts for the rest of the comic book world.
Guy Hasson’s Goof is the latest comic to spoof the genre. Nick Knickerbocker’s heroic alter-ego is the unfortunately named Captain Gorgeous, a man who has had amazing superpowers bestowed upon him by aliens for reasons best known to them. Whilst well-meaning, Nick has a strong propensity towards calamity, seemingly unable to undertake any act of heroism without causing death, destruction or intense personal embarrassment. The first three issues of the series introduce Nick, his family, who take his superhero-career rather less than seriously and his long-suffering publicist Alan. Nick is also introduced to Melody, a beautiful stranger whose path crosses with Captain Gorgeous.
The tone of the book is screwball comedy with a strong side helping of raunchy humour. The first issue is illustrated Guillermo Ramirez whilst the second and third are by Borja Pindado. Whilst I preferred Ramirez’s efforts, both have produced some bright, kinetic-seeming artwork that brings much to the characters and feels fluid and almost Pixar-esque in its look.
Unfortunately, whilst I liked the general set up and enjoyed the plot – it appeared to be heading in a fairly interesting direction – more than a bit of the humour was just a bit too juvenile for my tastes (two alien characters are called Captain Crapdee-Pants and Poopdee Pants, for example, which is about as sophisticated as what your average seven year old would come up with). Some bits were funny, but I did cringe slightly more frequently than is traditionally enjoyable.
Still, rather like its hero, Goof is knockabout, good-natured fare, in spite of its faults. If superhero spoofs are your thing, give it a go.
The first three issues of Goof are available from independent publisher New Worlds Comics. For more info on Goof, Wynter and the rest of News World Comics’ digital comic releases follow them on Twitter and check out their Facebook page.
