Savage Skullkickers #1 Review

Apes with horns are descending on Rex and Kusia. Will they make it out alive? And what of our dwarf? Was death the last we’ll see of him?

Official description from Image Comics:

SAVAGE SKULLKICKERS: a modern reinterpretation that gets back to the roots of these timeless characters. It’s a bold new direction, a continuing story and a newly added adjective! Our twentieth issue is brand a new #1! Welcome to comic math.

This issue is actually Savage Skullkickers #1- Eighty Eyes on an Evil Island Part 2. When I saw that I knew I had to go find part 1 which is actually titled Uncanny Skullkickers #1. I’ve never read any Skullkickers, but I’m proud to say that I am now a fan. This series doesn’t take itself too seriously, has an abundance of jokes, and is never in short supply of action sequences. It’s difficult to find comedy that consistently works in a comic but this was one of the best that I’ve read. The dwarf Rolf’s story line was hilarious as he travels through the underworld as shenanigans ensue. That’s not to say that Rex and Kusia don’t have their own laughs but combat took center stage in their scenarios.

The creative mind of Jim Zubkavich dishes out fantasy, fun and dare I say it, characters that have chemistry. Rex and Kusia may only get along because all they have is one another but even their bantering is entertaining and works. His use of montages provided amusement as they segued from one predicament to another. Rolf was the stand out character in this issue, though. Although I don’t want to spoil it, you’ll just have to read it for yourself.

Artist Edwin Huang takes Jim’s vision and administers his own embellishments with the characters and scenery. Misty Coats intensifies it with bold colors and palettes. They both had the task of cultivating both the underworld and Evil Island and did so effortlessly.

Every action scene got bigger and better as the comic went on. I am SOLD on this series. I can’t believe I’m so late to the party. Jim and company have an awesome thing going and I highly recommend you pick up this issue.

4.5/5