Suicide Blonde

Anyone who’s read Yambar’s Mr. Beat or his contributions to Bongo’s Bart Simpson Comics know just how gut-bustingly hilarious his work can be. But Yambar tones the humor down for this story, in a light-hearted but deliberately more serious attempt at the action-adventure genre.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work. The issue has its share of laughs, but they’re not complementary with the rest of the story; instead, they’re at odds with it. Yambar’s shifts from humor to adventure and back don’t gel into a cohesive whole. Like sliding back and forth past one’s driveway on an icy road, the direction keeps changing, but the destination is never reached. It’s a comic book that can’t quite decide what it wants to be.

Yambar’s premise is catchy: The world’s most addictive substance is chocolate, and the main character supports the government’s goal to destroy it. Problem is: She’s become addicted to the stuff. “Su’s” battle with giant, evil versions of icons like Mr. Peanut and the Pillsbury Doughboy is typical Yambar hilarity, but between the gags is a plodding storyline that lacks emotion, suspense, and interest.

Yambar deserves to be commended for his venture into other kinds of storytelling. Unfortunately, it’s only a marginal success and only serves to remind the reader that it’s humor that Yambar does best.

— Jim Johnson

Jump to issue:

#1

Cover: $5.95

W: Chris Yambar · A: George Broderick Jr.

1 copy for $5.95
#2

Cover: $7.95

W: Chris Yambar · A: George Broderick Jr.

1 copy for $44.98
Book #1

Cover: $16.95

W: Chris Yambar · A: George Broderick Jr.

1 copy for $13.50