Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Ambush Bug Stocking Stuffer (Holiday 2013 Theme)


The Ambush Bug Stocking Stuffer

This 40-page special is supposed to be a holiday/ Christmas themed book. But, the holidays are more of an after-thought than an actual plot device. I’m wondering if the creators of this book had extra material left over from the previous Ambush Bug mini-series and thought “What the heck? They bought our other Ambush Bug titles, let see if they buy this!” In other words, this book doesn’t match the quality are level of hilarity of other Ambush Bug titles.

Why did this work? I think the main reason I wasn’t so impressed was that the book goes everywhere and in  perhaps a comics first, backwards in time as well! Ambush Bug is trying to find his beloved doll, which seems to have turned into a zombie of sorts, killing other toys. The next thing I know, the writers claim that Bug found the toy and end of story- only there’s still 13 pages left in this 40-page special. So, they do what they do best- filler. Ambush Bug stories are really good at doing one page “splashes” that are funny and very smart. Those are about the only real holiday related content. The main story takes place during Christmas but these mini-stories are actually about Christmas.

I really wish it was better than it was. Even the art seemed rushed and sloppy. Not Keith Giffen’s best work. No wonder even Julie Schwartz refused to be a part of it!

Not Worth Consuming.

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

Holiday atmosphere rating: 5 out of 10 jingle bells.

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