Airboy #1 (2015) Review

Strung and Hung

Written by: James Robinson
Art by: Greg Hinkle
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 3, 2015


If you can't tell by our site's name, we are a DC Comics only website.  So, what the hell am I doing reviewing an Image Comics book that came out two weeks ago?  To that, I say, Exactly!  Eric and Myself here at Weird Science decided that we were going to brand Mondays, "Just for the Hell of it Monday" and open up the doors to review anything we damn well, please.  I mean anything...indie comics, old TV shows, Music and even (god forbid) comics from companies other than DC.  The sky is the limit.  For my first attempt at JFTHOIM, I give you Airboy #1 by James Robinson and Greg Hinkle.  Enjoy.




Airboy #1 is nothing like I thought it would be.  Yes, Airboy does make an appearance, but this book is all about the comic making process and it stars James Robinson and Greg Hinkle themselves as they try to figure out life, love and how the hell to produce a comic book together.

James Robinson is a great writer.  He also has a huge set of balls to lay himself out there like he does here.  This semi-autobiographical story doesn't paint a pretty picture of this time in his life and while it is uncomfortable peaking in, it's car wreck fascinating and his writing makes it hard to put down.  Seriously, I read this book five times already and pretty much forced Eric to read it as well.  By the way, Eric loved it more than I did.

By the time Airboy makes his appearance (which is meta on top of meta), James and Greg have had sex, drugs, more drugs, booze and while they really don't look like they are having much fun, they are living...kind of.  The one thing they don't do is work on the return of the Airboy comic.  That may or may not happen next month, but I can't wait to see what the hell does happen.

I was completely blown away by this book.  I was a James Robinson fan going in, but I now worship at the altar.  This is the best issue I've read in years.  However, it's not just the story that kicks major ass, Greg Hinkle's art was stunning and had me shaking my head with how good it fit the story.   I'd love to show you the best panels, but I'm afraid there might be children around.  I'll tell you one thing, if this book is to be believed, Greg should be very proud of himself.  I'm not talking about his art, either.

Bits and Pieces:

I'll just end by saying that Airboy #1 is one of the most unique comic books I've ever read.  It is raw, profane, over-the-top and simply fantastic.  It will never be confused with all those all-ages comics that are being pushed nowadays and to that, I raise a glass and would give a toast if I wasn't so awkward.  This is a must-read!

10/10