Strange Tales could be the coolest comic to come out in the last few years. When I say cool that’s exactly what I mean, cool. I’m talking old school cool, like coffee house, dressed in black, poetry slam cool. Why give this first issue of a three issue series such high praise? For three reasons, one is that it’s a piss take, a loving roast of some of the top tier Marvel characters. Secondly Strange Tales is put together by some of the greatest independent comics in the underground scene including Paul Pope, Johnny Ryan, Jason and several others. Finally this little gem of a comic includes the oft spoken about but little seen Incorrigible Hulk by Peter Bagge.
Opening up Strange Tales you’re confronted with The Watcher (through the eyes of artist Nick Bertozzi) ogling She-Hulk in the shower. I know what you’re thinking and you’re right, it is really funny. Next on the chopping block is the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby creation The Inhumans put through the looking glass of Paul Pope. Pope’s Inhumans is a simple story one where the heroes are found presenting a can of gourmet dog food to their mascot Lock Jaw. Sadly The Inhumans are called away before they can open the can leaving Lock Jaw unfed and pissed off. Pope’s story wins not only because it features Lock Jaw but also because it contains the line “I’m incontinent with fear”. Yeah, this is pretty brilliant stuff.
It’s hard to decide which is more exciting with Strange Tales, the art or the writing. The art varies in style and execution but never in excellence. For instance the first Spider-Man story by Pure Chance artist Junko Mizuno is so pretty it would be perfect without words, until you read it. The idea of Spidey moving to a town where he’s not, for lack of a better term, “spider” enough is a great take on old web head. I was also pretty amped on artist James Kochalka’s childlike take on The Incredible Hulk mainly because it takes aim at Red Hulk the current Marvel debacle from Jeph Loeb.
Want to know what “Stanktum Stanktorum” is or how The Punisher can help your kid graduate from Harvard? Fear not because artist Johnny Ryan has all the answer as well as Marvel’s Most Embarrassing Moments. There’s also Dash Straw’s take on Dr. Strange featuring the Sorcerer Supreme trying to fight off a yawn for fear he’ll fall asleep and be forced to battle Nightmare and his Evil Unicorn. The best of the bunch is, of course, The Incorrigible Hulk. Peter Bagge manages to nail what makes the Hulk such a classic character and simultaneously taking the piss right out of him. Imagine Hulk on a smashing rampage while spouting advice on living a healthy lifestyle. All of this before meeting a hot biker chick that thinks he’s the ultimate bad boy. The best part is that this is only part one. It makes waiting for issue #2 almost unbearable.
There are some missteps in Strange Tales including the wedding of She-Hulk and John Jameson and the Modok story but none of that affects the excellence of the book. I was even impressed with the Jason take on Spider-Man and I’m not by and large a Jason fan. What really comes through in all the stories is the reverence the new artists have for the old masters. Nothing here is mean spirited or looking to rip down the characters but instead turn them on their ear to be funny. Imagine a giant celebrity roast and then put it into comic book form and you’d be pretty close. If you’re familiar with any of these artists Strange Tales is a great addition to your collection, if not this is a great way to get introduced to them.
