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SubCulture #1 - #2
Ape Entertainment
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I can't say enough good things about the titles I see coming out of Ape Entertainment these days. One after another, I find that this company often approaches comics from unexpected angles and seems to have a knack for knocking a story right out of the park (or as may be more appropriate for this review... rolling a natural 20 time and again). I've reviewed a couple Ape titles over the last few months and each has left me wanting more. SubCulture did not disappoint.
Getting off my soap box and down to the review, I'll begin by saying that any comic that makes me see myself within the first six pages scores maximum points and tremendous praise from this reviewer. Before I was even part way into issue one, I not only noticed some of myself within the lead character Jason, but had a clear line on many of my old college buddies as the book unveiled Jason's friends.
SubCulture makes many jokes at the expense of geek culture, but it does it in a way that doesn't offend but rather shows deep affection. It takes the stereotypes and hits the right notes with in-jokes and references to popular comics, characters and even trade magazines skewering them as well along the way.
This is the story of a motor scooter riding comic everyman named Jason who stumbles upon that rarest of all finds... A beautiful girl (Noel) who's into comics, honestly understands why he likes them and, somehow, falls for him along the way. Their relationship may be a bit bumpy, but it's those bumps and the way the characters react to them that make the book a solid read.
SubCulture proves itself to be honestly enjoyable. It's dead on in terms of the sarcastic humor often present in comic culture. It made me homesick for those bygone days before I had a career and responsibilities. I'm talking about those days when life was more about passing the hours than paying the bills. This comic is about those long days when you had time to have a five hour argument over whether or not a barbarian could deflect a broadsword strike with his bare hands (happened to me in a comic shop... what can I say). This is about those times when you couldn't wait for that holy grail of all weekdays, that Wednesday mother load of new comics. It's also about the joy of the friday "all-nighter" of video games, pizza, chips, Mountain Dew, AD&D (2nd Edition of course), Call of C'thulu and Champions and, most of all, friendship. Good times and SubCulture effortlessly brings it all right back to you. The comic itself may be black and white, but the memories it calls upon are pure technicolor.
This is and isn't a romance focused story. It's more than that. It's a slice of life with some honest thought put into the characters. There is a story here with intrigue, romance and humor but there is also a deeper read about expectations, friendship and life. Between the humor, it does a good job of showing that life is a little messy and explores how relationships need time to hit their rhythm. As with so many Ape titles, there is humanity and honesty and it often comes in unexpected spots.
Kevin Freeman and Stan Yan are the team that bring us SubCulture. Stan's art style is exactly what this title needed to set it on its way to success. It's both humorous and inviting. Before reading the issues, I wasn't sure if it would fit but the moment I turned the first few pages I realized it was dead-on perfect for this story. It has a life that allows the characters to breathe and hits home with each turn of the page. Where Stan leaves off, Kevin brings it home with characterization and a familiar feeling story that could only come from someone who has lived (and may still live) this comic book life.
Let me make this very simple. If you're into comic culture... If you've ever hung out for an extended period of time in a comic shop... If you've longed for that must have next issue, that next level or that next thumb numbing video victory... You will enjoy the humor, the sarcasm and the tone present in this four issue series. The title's ad has a tag line that reads, "Admit it. You're one of them." For this reader, they were right..
Learn more about SubCulture by visiting www.subculturecomic.com
and be sure to visit Ape Entertainment at www.ape-entertainment.com!
