By Joe Daly
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books
ISBN: 978-1-60699-347-7
Joe Daly’s previous work rather cleverly subverted the Tintin books in a hugely enjoyable way. This time he’s having a pop at fantasy role-playing games and it’s nothing quite like you’d expect.
Millennium Boy (he of the large noggin) is bored and thirsts for excitement. Announcing he’s leaving for an adventure he packs a few items, collects his best friend Steve, and off they go. It’s not long before they are set upon by two thugs, and when they’re victorious in the scuffle they are able to upgrade their weapons and items of clothing (anyone familiar with D&D or a twenty-sided dice will see what’s going on here). Along the way they pick up more members for their band, discover helpful objects and battle increasingly dangerous foes. However, rather than the backdrop being some fantastical realm, this is all taking place in suburban South Africa.
It’s certainly poking a bit of fun, but you get the impression it’s being done lovingly. The situations are bordering on the absurd… well, they are absurd, and it’s chock full of brutality and humour. A very clever idea well executed, but certain scenes and language mean this isn’t really intended for a younger audience. You’ll enjoy it, though.
And if you liked that: You’ll love Red Monkey Double Happiness.
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