Fish Police #1 (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The main character of Fish Police is Inspector Gill. With his toboggan cap, vest and pencil thin whiskers, Gill looks like an underwater version of Frank Serpico. He's determined to bring down the organized crime cartel known as S.Q.U.I.D.. However, Gill also gets suckered into a lot of red herrings when many of the tips he receives are from beautiful dames.

The latest sultry siren to entice Gill into pursuing S.Q.U.I.D. is named Angelfish. She claims that her uncle is being forced into making illegal drugs for the gang and wants out. Gill is want to dismiss her until she reveals that her uncle has created a drug called Hairballs that can take it's users to another dimension where everyone walks on land with 2 legs. 

Inspector Gill has the strange feeling that he was originally from the surface world and sees Hairballs has a way of getting back to where he once belonged. The cop takes the assignment only to learn that Angelfish's uncle is perfectly happy where he is as a member of S.Q.U.I.D.. Instead of defecting, he wants the detective to bring back his niece Goldie into the fold. Goldie just happens to be the new receptionist at Gill's precinct and she loves being on the side of the good guys!

Fish Police debuted in a black and white format in 1985. Written and illustrated by Steve Moncuse, Fish Police was originally self-published by the creator's flag Fishwrap Productions. In 1987, Fish Police was picked up by Comico, starting at issue #12. The series soon found a new home with issue #17, being acquired by the Connecticut based Apple Press shortly after Comico declared bankruptcy. Apple would continue the series until 1991, culminating in issue #26. 

The idea of cops and robbers played out by seafood might seem rather ludicrous. However, the concept is done in a very mature, dark manner that shouldn't be confused as child's play. As part of Hanna-Barbera's attempt to produce more adult themed cartoons, Fish Police was adapted as a prime time sitcom in 1992. Airing on CBS, the show featured the voice talents of John Ritter, Ed Asner, and Tim Curry among others. 6 episodes were produced. However only 3 aired domestically before being quickly cancelled due to very low rating performances. 

From 1992-93, Marvel reprinted the first 6 issues of Fish Police in full color as a promotional tie-in for the animated series. With the show's abrupt end, Marvel also pulled the plug on the comic rather quickly. For the past 30 years, Steve Moncuse has teased plans for a Fish Police revival. Other than a short story that appeared in a 2013 issue of Dark Horse Presents, nothing new has been forthcoming.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #28 (A Story About Fish) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.