SEAGUY #2 REVIEW

[Mitch Brown]

<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0604/SeaguyCVR2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0604/SeaguyCVR2t.jpg" align=left alt="Seaguy #2"></a>Reviewer: Mitch Brown, mitchbrown@comixfan.cjb.net
Story Title: The Wasps of Atlantis
Quick Rating: Great!

“What a night for adventure!”

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Cameron Stewart
Colors and Separations: Peter Doherty
Letterer: Todd Klein
Assistant Editor: Pornsak Pichetschote
Editor: Karen Berger

I think I may have read Seaguy #1 just a few too many times in the last few weeks because part two of our nautical hero’s adventure actually seems kinda “normal”. I mean sure, we open with a bunch of chain-smoking Easter Island heads and a shepherd giving mouth-to-mouth to a octopus named “Macarena”, but that’s normal right?

(You know, I think Grant may just have broken me last month with Mickey Eye….I’ve had dreams now about that damnable eyeball!)

But anyway, while I could go on all day about the hallucinogenic effects of reading Grant Morrison comic books, what we all want to know is whether the second issue of Seaguy can possibly live up to the crazy fun of its debut.

And the answer my friends, is a raucously resounding “Aye, Aye!”

In this second action-filled issue our aquatic adventurers find themselves knee-deep in the sinister clutches of the corrupt employees of Xoo Industries, creators of a new and massively popular line of artificial foodstuffs, battling rampaging pink bio-orgs and faceless worker drones as they fight their way onwards through to the not-so-lost city of Atlantis. It is there in that fabled city that our dynamic duo face their greatest peril yet in the deadly Wasps of Atlantis, leading to an excruciatingly suspenseful cliffhanger that has me chomping at the bit to get my paws on Seaguy #3.

Cameron Stewart pulls out all the stops this issue, serving up some absolutely stunning artwork, topping his already excellent effort on Seaguy #1. Stewart’s art is wonderfully dynamic, bringing the unreal world of Seaguy to life. This issue, Mr Stewart has been called upon to render giant cigarette-smoking stone heads; clockwork wasp swarms; ice floes of chocolate; and gargantuan, sentient processed foodstuffs – not the everyday subject matter for your typical comic artist, yet Cam delivers the goods on Mr. Morrison’s fanciful brain sneezes. The final page is one of the best (and saddest) closing splash pages I’ve seen in recent memory. In fact, if it wasn’t so upsetting I’d want it on a poster.

Over on the DC Forums Cameron Stewart has commented that the “Suggested for Mature Readers” tag on Seaguy is more of a Vertigo formality than any real indication of the book’s content. While apparently the trade collection of this series will not be carrying the “Mature Readers” stamp, it’s a shame that the single issues do as I think DC is cutting out a large section of potential audience as Seaguy is some of the best all-ages fun on the racks at the moment.


ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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Buy issues of Seaguy online now at X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=773&amp;cat=SEAGUY+)

[Lord_magneto]

damn this issue was boring. i picked it up after i heared all the hype about seaguy #1, and the jokes here aren't funny. this issue is nothing - not funny, not touching, not entreining, nothing, i don't remember the last time i was left so empty after reading a comics.

[bravelybravesirrobin]

Well I'll have to disagree with you there Magneto

IMHO the book was funny and was moving. The octopus sheperd bit was absolutely hilarious, especially when he asked if the guards would take over when he got the heaves, jsut so bizarre its funny.

But I guess that's my kind've humour.

as for moving both Zoo and Chubby Da Choona emoted a lot fo sympathy from me. And I was genuinely upset when Chubby Died the artwork here with eevry sting and an unshaven sea guy really brings home the despair of the situation.



However this time Grant's too weird even for me. Invisibles, Animal Man, X-men and JLA... I "got" them all and I figured I had last issue all figured out as well. but the whole atlantis bit and what exactly it signifies has just bypassed me completely so this issue did leave me a little cold in that respect.

[Morley83]

I definately preferred issue one. This issue was a bit too 'random plot element' followed by another, then another, with little in the way of a continuous theme. The metaphors were barely concealed and not particularly imaginative, however the book did still maintain it's abstract charm.

I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of Cameron Stewart's art. Everyone ive discussed this point with has the exact opposite view on the subject, so I expect I am in a very small minority here. I can appreciate the technical skill used here, however the style just grates on me. All of the backgrounds and characters are beautifully rendered, yet the characters seem to lack any kind of movement or emotion. Perhaps I just see things in a different way to maost people.

Anyway, I'd still rate this issue highly, but it's not a shade on #1.

[Blake]

I'm not finding this book funny yet I find in interesting visually as morison has now been given full freedom to create the scenes.

It actually suprised me how sad the final scene was as well.

I'm not liking liking the series that much but I figure that it's just that I have the problem with morison I as feel he takes everything at too fast a pace. Though the book may not of worked at slower pace as well. Anyway it's only three issues so I figured I may as well get the rest.

[Cannonball1138]

Cameron Stewart is drawing a stunning book here. The art is some of the best I've seen on a Vertigo book in a while. The story got a little more weird in this issue but I still found myself loving it. I never thought I'd be that moved by the end page but Morrison reallly made me care about it somehow. I'd put Seaguy up there with My Faith in Frankie as Mini-series of the Year candidates.

[Gormant]

This is a fantastic (in all senses of the word) book. I didn't think that Morrison could top 'The Filth' in terms of strangeness (how many comics recently have made you feel concern over the incorrect feeding of cats?), but with Seaguy he has scaled new heights. I actually found myself laughing whilst being strangely moved over the plight of a floating tuna who is allergic to water. I have no idea where Morrison is taking us with this story (I know we'll end up on the moon though) and this is half the fun of the book.

[James Groves]

THis issue was absolutely awesome.

Well probably not absolutely awesome, but bloody brilliant.

hey alliteration - woo hoo!

Sorry.

I personally thought this issue was great. Wonderful mad and weird ideas a plenty.

The book IS funny, the opening scene was hillarious regarding "seeing something suspicious".

All the way through there are little gems of hillarity, thought provoking ideas and abstract themes.

The plots a bit bonkers. Dont quite see the point in Atlantis but it follows the Zaniness of it. Dialogues good and the artwork is far superior in this issue than the 1st. The artworks gorgeous. Slightly cartoony style, yet the realsim stays intact. Ace.

The last pages and ending scene mad me feel very sad. Along with Captain Marvel thats 2 end pages that have made me sad that week - i need cheerin up!

Seriously if u like good quality comics, youll like this!!

I'd give
Art:4.5
Writing 4
Overall 8/9 out of 10.

[C H Olland]

I disagree with Magneto, THis issue was a lot better than the first. I was thrown into an epic that only Grant Morrison could imagine.

[Robin Lewis]

Is it just me that keeps reading Chubby the Choona's dialogue and hearing Jimmy Durante's voice?

Anyhow, great stuff.

[lilacsigil]

I don't think the phrase "Sheep of the deep" is ever going to leave my mind. Let alone the Mickey Eye theme song.