To say that Todd, The Ugliest Kid on Earth is irreverent and most likely the best example of dark comedy of any comic going would quite literally be an understatement. Writer Ken Kristensen’s mind works like no other, nor should it, but it makes for one hell of a funny, off-the-wall comic.

Official Description from IMAGE:
CHARLIE ROSE’S TABLE: PUBLIC BROADCASTING SATAN,’ Part Three Charlie Rose’s insidious brainwashing scheme turns Gus and the town into mindless PBS-starved zombies, with Todd and Marxman-the-demon-hunter helpless to stop him. And when the world’s most dangerous cosmetologist fails to improve Peggy’s looks, there’s nowhere to go but down. Meanwhile, Satan’s son, Craig, has a breakthrough during family counseling.

I have always thought of myself as someone who finds things funny which maybe one shouldn’t. Kristensen opens up a whole new world of the weird and dark which should make readers take a long hard look at themselves for finding entertainment in his twisted universe. But he does it so well you’d have to have simply no sense of humor not to laugh and be entertained by this book. If you can find another book which kicks off by Satan chastising his overweight son, Craig, for not allowing his horns to grow in and embracing his hellish heritage followed by Satan’s nightclub stand-up comedy act making fat jokes, then by all means pick it up but I guarantee it doesn’t exist.

Todd, The Ugliest Kid on Earth reminds me of the numerous, extremely small indie series, tried dozens of times by countless writers, that always coming off as simply crass, unfunny amateurism but with Kristensen and artist M.K. Perker we finally have what all others rarely achieve; a quality, dark satire with endless entertainment value. This issue continues with the saga of Charlie Rose’s portal to hell table and the pursuit of rescuing Todd’s “sister” who now is trapped by Satan and that’s just one of the many plot lines.

The police chief is still searching for a new black partner to raise his popularity level, Mike the Bully who “felt up” Todd disguised as his sister, Todd’s mom, with an arrow still lodged in her silicone boob, kidnapped by Charlie Rose and Charon, Hell’s ferry man, who now rents jet ski’s for travel down the river Styx. And there’s still plenty more, just as twisted and just as funny. Perker’s art is a perfect match for Kristensen’s warped sense of humor and he uses it to it’s full advantage. His style is only slightly cartoonish with plenty of style and flair for just the right fit. Much like the story that could get out of control, Perker understands and maintains a balance with measured restraint when necessary but the ability to let loose with wild abandon when called upon.

It would be impossible to try and explain everything going on in Todd, The Ugliest Kid on Earth and not have your head spinning but suffice it to say this is one incredibly entertaining title that you have to read to believe. This might not be a book for everyone, nor should it, some may be offended by any number of things Todd offers. But if you like your comedy a little off kilter, hell, enormously off kilter than there’s no reason you shouldn’t be reading this book. Todd, The Ugliest Kid on Earth is a book that is in a class all it’s own and fans of this genre should kneel and worship at the alter of Kristensen and Perker!

5/5