Bigger Than Capes

Writer: Max Bemis
Artist: Nathan Stockman
Colourist: Triona Farrell
Letterer: Hassan Ostmane-Elhaou

There are not many comics making me laugh like Savage does. I defy anyone to read this without laughing out loud at least once. I once again traumatised my cat through my exuberant laughter. I did apologise.

Not all the jokes will land with everybody but a lot of them worked for me. From Kevin on his private island making a comment about how Overwatch played on rocks isn’t the same, to Mae’s overhearing what her birthday cake is made of, there’s rarely a situation that doesn’t create the need for a pop culture referencing joke or a cheesy aside, and yet it works. 

However, what also works is the way the book can pivot from the laugh out loud moments, jokes and comedy to hints at actual character and sadness. Yes it’s hilarious to see Kevin riding around on a Segway that looks like it was invented by The Flintstones but at the same time we see over a few panels how the loneliness is really getting to him as his day goes by. 

He grew up alone, but is being alone what he really wants now? The Castaway joke (you’ll know it when you see it) is both really funny, a little bit creepy and very revealing all at once, and that’s not an easy thing to pull off. To balance that hilarity with something just a bit deeper. At least for a panel or two.

Does Kevin actually need the wider world (except for the slew of fangirls and the brother exploiting him)? Plus with new threats and monsters emerging (giving Nathan Stockman a whole slew of hybrid monsters to give life to in the art) does the world also need Kevin Sauvage?

Then there’s Mae who really shines in the pages she appears in. I am really looking forward to seeing more of her. There’s still more to her than meets the eye and I do want to see her and Kevin interact again.

The writing by Max Bemis is excellent and makes for a very enjoyable ride. However, Nathan Stockman’s art is also great and as I’ve already mentioned this issue he renders a whole bunch of new monsters tearing the world apart. I don’t think you will see a better Gecktopus drawn anywhere. Plus the facial expressions, especially for Kevin, are so good.

What I love about Savage is that it both jokes and has character. The tone feels close to Quantum and Woody and that’s the highest compliment I can give it in terms of Valiant books. What really seals this for me though is dinosaurs. I didn’t think the dinosaurs could get better in this book but well, and here’s a spoiler… there’s a dinosaur with wings!

Savage is a really enjoyable bit of fun.

5 out of 5 winged dinosaurs (please may I have one?)