[amazon_link asins=’B0716ST6TC’ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’]
Bug! The Adventures of Forager is the kind of series that was written for those who enjoy a little weird in their lives. Michael Allred is the kind of artist who takes that weird and shapes it into a visual form that makes sense, but still weirds the heck out of you. So far the series has made no sense, but also been easy enough to follow — so how is issue #3?
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
Forager’s latest tumble through time and space lands him in a rough wilderness. There he meets the muscleman Atlas, who himself has run afoul of Chagra, the mysterious figure that caused the reality shards that put Forager on this multidimensional trip to begin with. What happens when a Bug of New Genesis teams up with a legendary powerhouse like Atlas? It’s a story we could only call ‘Atlas Bugged’!
Why does this book matter?
If you’ve been living under a rock you probably don’t know Gerard Way has been fostering the DC Young Animal line of comics for the last few months. This is the latest series of the bunch and it combines the artistic might of Michael Allred with the writing chops of Lee Allred. So far, the series has done a good job integrating some of the stranger aspects of Jack Kirby’s New Gods very well and made them seem relevant. Worth reading just for that right?
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Hmm, curious.
This issue practically belongs in the Looney Tunes line of DC crossovers–though it doesn’t contain any Looney Tunes–with a zany chaos that’s incredibly endearing. Take the opening page, which has Bug! fall from some unexplained portal and land right in a haystack. Said haystack has captions pointing to them and openly expressing how suspiciously convenient it is. On the very next page there are audio effects that read, “Gently” then “Floating” and finally “Down” which further shows this comic does not live in any kind of real world. It consistently exhibits a silliness that’s fun and different. Weirdness ensues throughout this issue–like a yak that has saxophones for horns–and it’s fun to the bitter end.
Since the comic isn’t taking itself too seriously–there’s certainly a wink and a nod here and there–readers can go with the flow and enjoy it for what it is. It’s comedic, overly dramatic, and downright silly. Lee Allred adds interesting layers of the New Gods in this issue, as well as a neat reality shard plot device, that keeps the reader on their toes and entertained. Oh, and the talking teddy bear is very funny. I may not have my New Gods lore down pat, but it didn’t matter as the zany nature of the story is always entertaining.
Then there’s Michael Allred, who draws yet another great issue. From the yak being hilarious to look at (and a snot gag that works great) to a teddy bear that’s at once simple but believable talking, Allred will make all this craziness somehow make sense. It’s through his art, his prism, that we get a series that’s hard to put down even when things aren’t making sense. It’s a great looking issue and it’s getting annoying having to say that every time I review a comic drawn by him.
She’s magic. I think.
It can’t be perfect can it?
[amazon_link asins=’B0716ST6TC’ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’]
Look, it doesn’t all make sense, and I’m not going to even pretend it’s supposed to. That said, it can be frustrating to not really gather what is going on. The protagonist continues to be a witness to these events and not much more either. His character learns something about himself this issue, but the reader still has no way of really understanding him. He’s a kook who is a bit off and wants to understand things, but how can you in a world that makes no sense!
Is It Good?
Bug! The Adventures of Forager is zany fun that’s incredibly endearing. This issue touches on a lot of staples in the DC universe while being the funniest issue yet. Read this if you wanna get weird.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!