Albatross Funnybooks 2017
Created & Written by Eric Powell & Brendon Small
Illustrated by Steve Mannion
Coloured by Marissa Louise
Lettered by Warren Montgomery
Honestly, I'm not normally a fan of books that look like they are straight out of Heavy Metal magazine. For whatever reason they've just never connected with me before until now. For some inexplicable reason I find the idea behind Triton extremely fun and interesting. The whole mommy issues and divorced on top of that, I can see how the two are connected, and a shape changing blob mass of a villain bent on revenge yeah this has everything you need to make a helluva story!
We open up here on Planet Corpaktal, home of Prison Colony 662 which houses the biggest bad the universe has to offer, he's also in there because of Triton. So, we saw last issue that the rookie guard was getting a little too close to him and now we see how that plays out. while not ingenious it is great to see how he is able to use the bodies he needs to cover his tracks, convincingly infiltrate the guards and steal a getaway ship and got off planet. That shouldn't be too spoilery because we all know it was going to happen since the two are destined to have a big showdown here.
What the guys do here with Triton, his mother and where he has to go from here. It's both extremely intense and compelling characterisation as well as some of the most giggling moments to have together. I mean there's a lot going on here with Triton and his bluff and bluster is very much due for a breakdown here and who better to ensure that happens then the person Mother sends him too. I have to admit the exchanges of dialogue, or banter if you will, between all parties involved is highly amusing and doesn't really mask the fact that he's a scared little boy inside that suit.
We also get a treat this issue as we see Triton's ex as she wallows in self-pity, which if you read last issue you'll know was brought on completely by herself. Her friend well she's what we call an enabler. She is also kind of bitch and a worthless one at that who unless I miss my guess is coasting on her coattails hoping for fame by association. That's just me and my assessment of what's happening here. Once again, the characterisation is pretty near flawless.
Steve does something with the interiors here that I'm kind digging a whole heck of a lot. With Marissa colouring it they manage to create this nice work that has a certain Joi de vivre about it that really makes it stand out. The use of page layouts through their angles and perspective bring us a unique look at the story as it unfolds. The utilisation of backgrounds and the way the colours are used here are superbly done. There's a whole lot great stuff with the imagery and the linework and the way it's all depicted that somehow, someway you just can't help but like.
There's a deeper emotional story going on behind and in front of the scenes here that ties into the looming confrontation between our hero and his antagonist. While we have no idea what is going to happen in the long run in the short term we know that his ex-wife, the villain he put away and Triton himself all have a date with destiny to meet up.
Take a walk on a different path by someone you might not know or know of his music that ties into this rather well. This is why I urge everyone to pick up indie books because the best storytelling these days comes from the most unexpected places.