Comics
Review: ‘Buddy Cops’ One Shot
What other comic this week will give you nuclear monk monkeys, a drunk future cop with a sweet jetpack, a wedding, and a clone of Eliot Ness surgically implanted into the carcass of a bear? Only Buddy Cops by Nate Crosby and Evan Shaner. “Buddy Cops” is one of the most enjoyable one shots I’ve read in a while.
WRITTEN BY: Nate Crosby
ART BY: Evan Shaner
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: March 13th, 2013
Buddy Cops follows Uranus, an intergalactic space cop with a badass jetpack, and an even more badass space sword, who has been demoted to the NYPD, and his partner T.A.Z.E.R. Who is an overly anal police robot. Together they form the Buddy Cops, and as you learn on the first page: they hate each other.
This book is the ultimate spoof of comic book heroes, and the buddy cop formula, all condensed into one issue. The amount of material covered here is almost astounding. Both characters go through a stereotypical buddy cop story, with the highs and lows of each character complimenting the other. What results is a perfect snapshot of insanity, that is as much fun to read, as it is to look at.
The art here is incredible. Shaner’s art is simple and pulpy in all the right ways. Lots of muted blues, oranges, and greens create a vibrant world for these buddy cops to exist within. The characterization of the monstrous enemies reminded me of some of Fiona Staples’ best work, and really gave the comedy the back bone it needed.
This book is damn funny. There is a moment halfway through that politely asks you to play Lional Ritchie’s “Hello” softly in the background as you read it, and I couldn’t agree more. Positively tear jerking moments on those pages.
Yet, the whole thing moves with incredible pace. Crosby does not waste a panel, and the rapid fire progression of the story allows the reader to be fully immersed and wanting more. Uranus and T.A.Z.E.R’s relationship is pitch perfect. The two challenge each other in the ways we have seen continually in buddy comedies but in the perfect comic book fashion. Everything is taken to outlandish exaggerations and every character takes it completely seriously.
“Buddy Cops” is a perfect world of sheer comic insanity that I cannot recommend heartily enough. For any fans of the buddy cop genre they’ll find perfect winks and nods to their sensibilities, and for those of you just well versed in comics, you’ll find yourself having a ton of fun and laughing out loud the entire time.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – Jimbus_Christ
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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