YOUR INDY WEEKLY: GRAVYBOY #1

[MattBrady]

by Ryan McLelland

GravyBoy #1
Jack Rabbit Stewdios – 2007 - $1.99
Written by: Marty Blevins
Pencils/Inks by: Brian Shearer
Website: http://www.gravyboy.com

Rating: 3 and 1/2 stars (out of 4)

With a premise that will grab you from the get-go, GravyBoy displays an incredible tongue-in-cheek humor along with a premise that is rarely seen in comic books. I say rarely because the plot is very similar to that of DC’s late (and lamented) Major Bummer, but here it is a welcome device that is perhaps more inane and gratifying. Writer Marty Blevins and artist Brian Shearer have a hit on their hand with GravyBoy and have are relaunching their mini-series with a big time color version of their black and white indy hit.

For countless years an entity called The Herald has come to Earth to give powers to the few and the special. It is usually given very young in childhood so it can manifest itself over time, usually at age thirteen. When the Herald gets to one particular six month old baby he pulls out his list to see what power he is to bestow upon the toddler. Pulling out a heavily stained list he looks it over to see the word ‘gravity’ except that the letters ‘I’ and ‘T’ are smudged. So the Herald goes ahead and bestows this baby the power over ‘gravy’.



Fast forward to loser Philbert Pharmac and his wake up on his thirteenth birthday. Right away we know he’s a loser because his name is Philbert. PHILBERT. Have you known anyone cool named Philbert? Of course not. Still, it is a fun name to say. Philbert. But I’m going on a tangent aren’t I? Anyway the loser wakes up and looks over his lame clothes. This isn’t me saying this, this is Philbert. He looks over the same dumb shirts, the same dumb shoes, and, yes, the same dumb pants. The new teenager takes off and begins his walk to school.

Of course the events of his walk to school will change Philbert for the rest of his entire life, or at least the rest of the day. Philbert is caught in a huge commotion that includes the local bullies, a superhero fight, and him getting in trouble with everyone from his bully to the high school principal. It seems that Philbert can’t get anything right and of course this is when his powers decide to activate. The power over gravity? No. The power over gravy? OH YEAH. Bring on the turkey baby because GravyBoy is here to take make Thanksgiving his own.



I loved this book and how, because of an error made by simple reading, that this poor loser guy seems to get the shaft in life from his name to even gaining his powers. It is easy to see why GravyBoy is an instant classic starting right from issue one. I’m glad Blevins and Shearer relaunched the series with a colored version, as it makes the series look great from beginning to end. The possibilities are endless with this book and one can only imagine the nonsense that poor Philbert will get in over and over again. What can one do with the power of gravy? I would think nothing, but GravyBoy sets out to prove me wrong. The book is an instant classic and a welcome addition to anyone’s comic book collection .

Have an indy comic you’d like reviewed? Contact Ryan at rdmclelland@hotmail.com.

[codazen]

What a fun fun book this is. The creative team are a bunch of good guys too... when they are not banned from conventions such as Dragon Con.

[Nate-Earth 2]

Sounds funny, i'll take a look once it hits the shelves. My shelves that is. The local shops around here, sometimes take a week or two to get some smal press stuff in, unfortunately. That really puts a hurt in my Adhouse collecting.

[MarkSparacio]

A well earned "Congratulations!" to Marty Blevins and Brian Shearer!!!

I met the "GravyGuys" two years ago at MegaCon 2005, when they approached me to do a cover for the third issue of their book,GravyBoy. I thought to myself, what the hell is GravyBoy? After reading the first couple of issues, I was totally hooked. Marty makes it a fun reading book and Brian's artwork is getting better and better. In a world of comics that are getting darker and darker storylines, GravyBoy is a great lighthearted read. Ryan McLelland's review is dead-on. If you haven't seen the biggest little indy book out there, you have to try it. If your comic book shop doesn't get it, ask them to order it for you. If that doesn't work go to the GravyBoy website at: www.gravyboy.com.

I've watched this book grow for the last two years. Trust me. You'll be glad you did.

[Thomas Rhymer]

Haven't read the comic yet, but I regularly listen to the podcast Brian, Marty and Andy Slaughter are bringing out. Could say it's my favorite out there. Really nice guys.

Check out http://comicreview.thepodcastnetwork.com/

[Arion]

Sounds like fun.

[CBeranek]

Marty and Brian put a lot of time, effort and heart into this project. I hope y'all will give it a shot!

[Randy Green]

Yay for Gravyboy! It's terrific that these great guys and their book are getting some well-desrerved accolades. Best wishes and keep 'em coming!

[Captain Brit]

When it comes to super-heroes I suppose the old adage is true:
"Same meat, different gravy"

[kevrob]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Fast forward to loser Philbert Pharmac and his wake up on his thirteenth birthday. Right away we know he’s a loser because his name is Philbert. PHILBERT. Have you known anyone cool named Philbert? Of course not. Still, it is a fun name to say. Philbert.

That's funny. In fact, it was funny 40 years ago when Gilbert Shelton turned a nebbish named Philbert Desinex into WONDER WARTHOG.

[Marty]

Thanks for all the kind words and accolades. It's been a real joy getting to see people's reaction to GravyBoy. There's a lot of great stuff in store for the future.

GravyBoy issue 1 will be available nationally the week of July 9th at major booksellers such as Barnes and Noble and Books-a-million. Talk with your local stores about availability. (UPC 0 74470 23034 2)

Unfortunately, Diamond Distributions has opted not to distribute the first issue of GravyBoy, so many comic shops may not be able to order it through their normal channels. Those retailers can still order GravyBoy now through Ingram Periodicals or directly from the publisher (e-mail shop at gravyboy dot com).

Otherwise, stop by your local bookstore in July or come by our table at the San Diego Comic-Con (S15).

Thanks again for all the kind words.