Love Fights

(Oni, 2003-2004)
™ and ©2003 Andi Watson

Written and illustrated by Andi Watson (Geisha, Skeleton Key), Love Fights #1 is a charming little piece that is kinda realistic, kinda cartoonish, and a lot of fun to read. The everyman protagonist is a likable fellow named Jack, an artist who draws the super-hero comic book The Flamer, a name that invites all manner of speculation regarding the sexual preference of the super-hero in question (who actually exists in the “real” world).

Jack struggles with editorial pressure from The Flamer’s agent, and there’s a witty reference to King Herod (spoken by Jack, indicating the intelligence of the character) regarding the fact that the agent wants no more mention of children or babies in the comic book. Jack’s biggest struggles, however, concern his missing cat, his shyness and awkwardness around women, and his inability to get (or even ask for) a date.

Thanks to Watson’s playful, yet sincere, art and writing style, readers are sure to stick around for the next issue. It’s to be hoped that some of Jack’s issues will be resolved (at least partly).

— Brett Weiss

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