From 2017,
Bug! The Adventures of Forager #1, "Bughouse Crazy! Domino Effect, part 1 of 6" Written by Lee Allred, art by Michael Allred, colors by Laura Allred.
The insect-raised Forager, disparaged by Orion as a "Bug," sacrificed himself to save the universe in 1989's
Cosmic Odyssey #4, but he's back today; having awoken from a cocoon, in the basement of an earth house? This might be a dream, as he encounters a bizarre ghost girl and her talking teddy bear; who advises him not to use his name there. Fine, he'll be Bug for now. He isn't real keen on going back to Highfather and Orion, or the insects, so what's left? Saving the universe? Bug considers, he's saved the universe, without really getting to see much of it. The little girl had set up dominoes, in a pattern Bug recognized as from a Mother Box, and when she changes one Bug has a vision of characters that will probably show up later, including Deadman, OMAC, and the Black Racer. But, the classic Kirby Sandman shows up now!
With Sandman's helpers Brute and Glob, Bug helps fight General Electric; but a domino falls into his hand from nowhere. Bug protests, he is
not a domino and won't fall in line; but still stops the General, before falling into a dimensional hole that he figures will take him to the next domino. I'm not sure who's pulling the strings, but I'm hoping it's not New Gods related, since Bug seems to have had it with their drama. I kinda think this little series was because the Allreds liked the character and maybe wanted to give him a happy ending; although it could still end as a dream or with him dead. Also, did Kirby ever do Deadman? It's a love letter to Kirby, with one extra guy.
Easily the best possible portrayal of Bug since Kirby and Starlin.
ReplyDeleteLove the use of those DC 1st issue special characters.
Oh and a quick Google search revealed that Kirby did indeed draw Deadman.
Ah, Young Animal- it was an interesting concept but the Cave Carson book was the only one I ever read. I seem to remember this one being one of those ‘Kirby was behind it’ series but they did a bunch of those around the 100th anniversary so I might be wrong. I know that’s how Kamandi Challenge ended up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me to go read these. I definitely give DC props for giving this imprint an honest opportunity, at least initially anyways. I’m not sure why it didn’t succeed more than it did, as it felt very much in line with the spirit of classic Vertigo stuff. Oh well.
DeleteI think that’s probably it- too Vertigo for the most part, and Vertigo was still there if you’re into that stuff.
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