‘Jimmy’s Bastards #1’ Review
Written by Garth Ennis | Art by Russell Braun | Published by Aftershock Comics
Garth Ennis doing a mature spoof of the James Bond character makes a lot of sense. His sense of humor lends itself to that type of idea, and the more Garth Ennis comics we get the better the world of comics. Jimmy’s Bastards has a humorous premise that sums up exactly what this book is like. For a first issue, there is a lot of fun to be had, but there is no question that some of the humor just did not land in the way it was intended.
Anyone who has read an Ennis comic in the past knows he is not known for his subtlety. It is well executed sophomoric humor with a mature tone. Here he is writing what is clearly a Roger Moore era type of James Bond character. Although he looks much more like Geroge Lazenby. One with perfect hair, an ideal grin, and a knack for landing any lady he wishes. That is until he gets his new partner Nancy McEwan who rebukes everything he stands for. Clearly, she is a stand-in for modern society that is clashing with the lifestyle Jimmy wishes to live.
That is where Ennis struggles with his comedic bits. Mocking things like safe spaces or trigger warnings reeks of an old man not understanding the modern world. It is completely legitimate to mock that type of terminology or way of thinking. Why it does not work here is because Enis was reaching to pull those references in during moments that did not fit whatsoever. I imagine Enis went to Urban dictionary to find what the new hip words were people were using and threw them in the book where he could Madlibs style.
Although the idea of an old man stuck in a bygone style teaming up with a powerful modern woman is not new there is still a lot of fun and their interaction. Also seeing Enis and Russell Braun comes up with crazier and crazier Bond-like villains was one of the early highlights. Despite its missteps, Jimmy’s Bastards has promise as a series. Once this concept comes together hopefully it will hit its stride.
**½ 2.5/5
