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I said I would check out Dastardly and Muttley #2 and it has arrived. I thought the first issue was OK, just nothing that screamed, “run out and buy me.” Although I have to admit — taking these two Hanna Barbera characters and turning them into United States Air Force pilots is an interesting twist. Let’s move on and see if this issue changes my opinion for the better.
What did I miss in Dastardly and Muttley #1?
You really didn’t miss a whole lot. Lt. Col R. Atcherly (Dick) and Capt D. Miller (Mutt) were flying a recon mission in the Middle East when a drone spewed a radioactive material called Unstabilium all over their jet. The results were Capt. Miller becoming a walking, talking version of his dog and Lt. Col Atcherly talking like a stuck up British gentleman. The comic had me raising an eyebrow, though overall I was kinda indifferent on what I had just read.
So is Dastardly and Muttley #2 better?
Yes and no. Once again, I have mixed feelings on this issue and the direction that it is heading. Dastardly and Muttley #2 opens up with Mutt kidnapping/rescuing Dick. Dick has witnessed the freak that Mutt has turned into and doesn’t want to be anywhere near him. However, Mutt knows that the government isn’t keen on letting them continue to walk the land of the living, so it is time to bust out of the hospital that is housing the pair. After a run in with Agent Perkins and some M.P.s, the two escape and find themselves in a diner reflecting on what has happened, contemplating their next move.
I was expecting more out of this issue. The plot does move along but once again but there is something missing that I cannot put my finger on. The humor has now taken on more of a Roger Rabbit vibe. Agent Perkins is armed with a gun that is large enough to shoot holes into people. The hole goes right through and the person is still alive, wondering what in the hell just happened to them. The Hanna Barbera roots are fully intact with the humor. We even get a surprise cameo from another Hanna Barbara character that I hope plays a bigger role. I am a fan of Ennis, I just can’t get behind this book at the moment. But at least we get Muttley’s wonderful laugh. Ennis is trying here, I just hope the story gets better as we progress.
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Mauricet and Kalisz’s art keeps the story moving. The visual humor is much needed where the story lacks and they do a wonderful job of keeping the art both playful and colorful. I liked the visual humor with the oversized gun, the cameo, and the radioactive sludge. At this point, I would be happy if this was just full on cartoon goodness and stopped trying to make a serious story out of Mutt and Dastardly.
I don’t mean to be so rough with my opinion on Dasterdly and Muttley #23. I will continue with the series because there are only four more issues to go. I really want to be fixated on the story and care about what’s going on but that has yet to happen. Oh well, there is always issue #3.
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