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View Full Version : El Zombo Fantasma #1


JimHughs4
04-29-2004, 07:58 PM
Writer: Kevin Munroe
Penciller: Dave Wilkins
Inkers: Dave Wilkins and Sean Galloway
Colors: Tony Washington
Dark Horse Comics/ Rocket Comics

A superheel wrestler, El Zombo Fantasma, destroys Captain Courageous in the ring, despite CC's protest "Dude! That wasn't in the script!" and is disqualified, but wins the undying hatred of the fans. Outside, after the match, Zombo is shot and killed by an unknown assailant... and goes to the eternal reception area, where a bureaucrat tells him he's just enough in doubt that he might be able to achieve Heaven, if he acts as a young girls guardian angel. Zombo thinks he might be able to punish the man who shot him, and agrees. We're then introduced to Beli, a young Hispanic orphan girl with a bad attitude. Seeking privacy, she goes to the local graveyard, where she's beset by two men. Beli doesn't back down but just before she's attacked, Zombo erupts from the ground beating one of the thugs senseless as the other flees. Zombo realizes she's the one he's supposed to protect, and Beli and Zombo leave the graveyard, Zombo thinking "Hell suddenly doesn't seem so bad."

The writing is certainly capable, Munroe does a nice job with the supermacho Zombo. Beli comes off well, but seems a little stereotyped. Nicely don though, no complaints.

The art is amazing, every page bursting with huge, overmuscled characters and vibrant color. The panel layout is nice too, someone has an excellent sense of design. A few pinups in the back round out the package.

Overall: B+
The beautiful art works well with good writing, it just seems that the plot has been done before... At least the guardian angel part. But I'll definetely pick up the second issue, just to see the great colors and art.

Commander X
04-30-2004, 03:48 AM
I agree, the art was fantastic... the cartoony style with the extra-detailed close-ups, the exaggerated faces and movements, the great use of color... very fun. Reminded me of the classic Ren & Stimpy cartoons, in a good way. I'll be sticking with this one.

LoveForFire
04-30-2004, 05:08 PM
I thumbed through this in the store. My first impulse was to buy this but due to my budget I decided not to. Now after reading this review I think I'm going to get it.

CountD
04-30-2004, 05:15 PM
nice write-up.

I may have to check it out now!

JimHughs4
05-01-2004, 07:41 PM
Dead serious guys, this is one to watch.:)

jdonelson_nyc
05-06-2004, 02:25 PM
I have to disagree with the praise for this book. The plot was nothing but a tired cliche. If you're going to use a stock premise like this, you should either try to approach it from a new angle or at least revel in it. This book read like the writer was unenthused about the idea but went with it anyway. The characterization was inconsistent. The dialogue was lackluster.

The only thing keeping me from giving an 'F' to this comic was the art, which gets points for its original style. Even the art isn't perfect, however - it may have been the poor coloring but the action is not always clear. There's no hierarchy of visual information - that is, the artist should lead the viewer's eye through the page. In this book it's often hard to tell what you're supposed to be looking at. It comes across as a multi-colored mishmash. They should have used higher contrast instead of constant high-key colors.

Anyway my final verdict is a D.