By Kyle Coleman
Doug Michel is the mastermind that brings us…Monkey Squad One!
All of my loyal and devoted readers know that I stopped doing reviews some time ago. When I first started out I was very much into doing something I called a “Pleasant Review.”
Anyway, it turns out the reviews were not only pretty good on their own, but because of the positive nature of my writing, a lot of creators were asking if I had the time to have a look at their book. And just like any other hungry newb, I happily obliged to have a look and if I enjoyed, I’d write up a Pleasant Review, and support these creators any chance I could.
But the inevitable happened. Actually my friends, two inevitables happened!
1) I was running out of time and energy to keep up.
2) I was reading and rejecting certain books with an apology. Basically saying “I loved – this and this… but it’s really not my type of book.”
I hated hurting people in that way, but I had to stay true to myself and the readers so that I could always say – or tweet- to them with 100% complete honest that “ I back..” this book or that book. It went against the grain because most just expect a good review based on the back scratching principle.” I send you a book, and you write a good review and tell your friends. Then we’re even!”
But! I’m not a back scratcher and my back isn’t really that itchy…
So what does all this have to do with MS1?
ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING.
You see, I rolled and smoked a very fat joint as a tribute to MS1 before I started. I feel Doug Michel, the mind behind Monkey Squad One, would have it no other way.
And no, I don’t make personal statements about people… I’m making this assumption based on how awesome, funny, and clever Monkey Squad One is.
So let’s get to these awesome books and the details I’m willing to share with you…
When you open Monkey Squad One, you get the impression that this book is going to be a ton of fun to read.
When you open Monkey Squad One, you get the impression that this book is going to be a ton of fun to read. The art was right up my alley, and for a couple reasons. I loved the fact that Doug’s art is his own. Now what do I mean by that, you ask?
I loved the fact that Doug’s art is his own. His style, his characters, the landscapes, the inanimate objects, the shading, and angles are all gelled together so nicely.
I mean his style, his characters, the landscapes, the inanimate objects, the shading, and angles are all gelled together so nicely. Let’s face it, we’ve all read a book or two where one thing may be great and another is so bad it looks either out of place or- err… bad.
That sort of unnaturalness is nowhere to be found in MS1. I want to relate the whole world, in the series, consistency wise, to that which you’d find in animated cartoon series on television.
And while I’m on the topic of cartoons and MS1, Cartoon Network would be wise to throw Doug a blank check because they could make a killer cartoon on adult swim. From action, to gore, and all the way down to the laugh out loud humor; you’re going to find all of that in this book.
The writing is awesome and funny. Nuff said! Can’t really elaborate more than that.. Actually, I can! I think Doug is enlightened in some way shape or form. His stories are a serious blast of good times.
I think Doug is enlightened in some way shape or form. His stories are a serious blast of good times.
And there’s one more thing before I end this post, and I think it’s important when considering starting a new creator owned book. When Doug sent me these comics, actual comics – not digital – he sent me a lot of books. My point here is that there’s plenty of MS1 to read. You don’t have to worry about falling head over heels for a book only to have it end or run out of new issues to read.
Yep.
Please check out Monkey Squad One! You won’t regret it!
Till next time…
For more comic views and reviews follow Kyle on Twitter at @ComicsKyle and check out his tumblr site HERE!
Posted on October 16th, 2012
Category: KYLE'S COFFEE CORNER, REVIEWS
Tags: Comic Reviews, Comics Kyle, Doug Michel, Kyle Coleman, KYLE’S COFFEE CORNER, Monkey Squad One, Monkey Squad One Review