Comic Review: The Miscellaneous Adventures of Stykman #2

The Miscellaneous Adventures of Stykman #2

Created, Story, and Art by: Jonnie Allan
Published by: AKA Comics

There is a long and powerful line of funny superheroes dating back to the likes of The Fat Fury (’65) and Fatman, the Human Flying Saucer (’67), DC’s Inferior Five (’66), Marvel’s Forbush Man (’67), up to like minded silly superheroes such as Flaming Carrot (’84) and the Tick (’88). I love them all. 2007 brought us a new member of the illustrious assemblage of absurdity, Stykman and his sidekick Al.

Stykman is an anthropomorphic…well, stick. Actually, bits of stick and wood bound by rope. The world’s champion, Captain Buck Nekid, has retired. Stykman seeks to take Nekid’s place as the world’s most adored hero and woe be to anyone who gets in his way…mainly, himself.

Issue #2 of the Miscellaneous Adventures of Stykman finds our twig terror storming into a bar, The Inferno, to confront a woman who called his house. See, Stykman lives with his mom, and now she’s suspicious of Stykman’s activities and where this woman comes in. The woman is Lucy Furr and she wants Stykman to retrieve an object for her, if he’d just use the bathroom already. She convinces Stykman, using some irregular means of persuasion, to get the item she desires.

When Stykman finds out that the item is in a church, he finds himself under fire from an angel instructed to “Baptize with extreme prejudice!” Finally fending off the assaulting angel, Stykman enters the church to retrieve the item and return to Lucy Furr.

No, I’m not going to tell you what the item is. I will say that there is plenty of potty humor in this issue, and well-orchestrated potty humor at that. I’ll also tell you to think about the name of his employer, Lucy Furr, to figure out who’s really pulling Stykman’s strings.

Stykman is a return to surrealistic comic heroes like Flaming Carrot. The “Miscellaneous” in the title of the book is appropriate because you really cannot predict what you will encounter in an issue. Most impressively, however, is that while everything may seem random, it’s all connected and every scene has a purpose beyond the guffaws. Stykman’s scene trying to use the bathroom in The Inferno, but having to fend off an attacking leviathan, and his later ambush from the angel, are all connected in a coherent, well-plotted story, and that’s a testament to Jonnie Allan’s ability as a writer. Allan’s art is also nice, giving us fluid and dynamic scenes with impeccable comedic timing.

I know you need a good laugh. Admit it. Now, go to AKA Comics, and buy this Styk! It’s worth it!

Rating: 5 Worms - A humorous breath of fresh air.