Tales Designed to Thrizzle #6
Written & Illustrated by Michael Kupperman
Published by Fantagraphics
Honestly, this brand of retro-camp isn’t really my bag, but I can’t deny that Michael Kupperman knows his way around the comics.
First of all, Kupperman draws the hell out of every page. The “Juggle Princess” sequence recalls classic adventure comics, with brightly colored protagonists moving over monochrome backgrounds in dynamic ballets of action. Strong line work captures the pristine silliness of Jungle Girl, jungle heroine and fashion magazine publisher, aided by a chimp-hawk duo against unbelievable foes.
Other sequences in Tales Designed to Thrizzle #6 include post-modern wallpaper ideas, the Richie Rich parody Willie Wealth (Kupperman does a superb Warren Kremer pastiche) and a darkly humored thriller about the history and importance of drainage juxtaposed against an “aging” theatre actress’s plight.
Fake ads, an Armageddon-inspired Mark Twain/Albert Einstein team-up, and a dismissal of books round out Kupperman’s offerings in this installment.
Every sequence looks excellent, dramatically staged and rendered in clear, strong lines. Kupperman uses blacks to add strong accents to each page, and alters his style to give each sequence the appropriate flavor. Strong primary coloring enforces the power of the line art.
Tales Designed to Thrizzle #6 looks great. The script hits all the right marks. If you’re the type of reader who enjoys self-referential nods to the comics of yesteryear, Kupperman’s title sets the standard all such titles should shoot for.
