Review: ‘Superf*ckers’
[[[Superf*ckers]]]
By James Kochalka
Top Shelf Productions, 144 pages, $14.95
Reading the reviews about previous editions of James Kochalka’s Superf*ckers I was thinking this was going to be an amazing satire of the super-hero genre, poking fun at teams from the Justice Society of America to the Thunderbolts. Over the years, Kochalka had been doling out one issue at a time, starting with Superf*ckers #271 in 2005 and released a fourth issue in 2007. Top Shelf has collected the four issues with the previously unpublished [[[Jack Krak #1]]] in a new collection released earlier this year.
I don’t get the praise. Not at all. Kochalka’s robbery figurework is good for his childrens’ books and other independent works but when it comes to super-powered, hyper-sexualized characters, it feels entirely wrong.
Over the course of the collection, these spoiled, nasty would-be heroes act like whiny, horny, spiteful high school students. None seem to be using their powers for the public good, but instead, to outperform each other in the hopes of gaining acceptance in the club. They are a uniformly unlikeable bunch and the satirical elements are so broadly played they’re more slapstick than witty commentary on modern comic book tropes.
Kochalka cuts between combinations of heroes one-upping each other, excreting with abandon and he paces these various threads nicely enough. He crams each page with plenty of panels and action, brightly coloring everything in what must have been a painstaking manner.
Amazingly, at the outset, Kochalka thought this might be an all-ages title but as he got further into this, he couldn’t prevent his annoying heroes from cussing so it has remained a book aimed at older readers. “And it makes the action more dramatic,” he told Comic Book Resources. Not at all. The cursing and invective permeates every pages as do the acts that should never be attempted at home.
I remain baffled why anyone things this is a laugh-out loud must-read series. In the same interview he said, “On the surface it’s fun and breezy romp, but underneath it’s a layered satire of American society, the comic book scene, power and pathos and the human condition.” That might have been his intent but the execution fails to measure up.
This review needs some proof reading. I believe “robbery” is supposed to be “rubbery.” The first sentence of the second paragraph is confusing, it seems to start a list, but after two items it switches gears and uses the ‘and’ for a verb instead of a third item. The last paragraph uses “thinks” instead of “thinks.”
This review needs some proof reading. I believe “robbery” is supposed to be “rubbery.” The first sentence of the second paragraph is confusing, it seems to start a list, but after two items it switches gears and uses the ‘and’ for a verb instead of a third item. The last paragraph uses “thinks” instead of “thinks.”
This review needs some proof reading. I believe "robbery" is supposed to be "rubbery." The first sentence of the second paragraph is confusing, it seems to start a list, but after two items it switches gears and uses the 'and' for a verb instead of a third item. The last paragraph uses "thinks" instead of "thinks."
Super Fuckers is not a good comic. It’s bizarre and seems like a low-rent version of the Boys at times, but less skillfully executed, and at others like an exercise in creative dillydallying. I’ve leafed through it at several times and like James Kochalka’s other comics, besides his frequently-amusing daily comic strip, it is not entertaining as far as I’m concerned. I’m sure Kochalka is highly amused by his own work, which is the first rule of creating entertainment material in my book, but it’s definitely not for everyone or even, dare I say, for most comic readers.Sidebar: I drive down the street that photo is of every week when I get my comics.
Super Fuckers is not a good comic. It’s bizarre and seems like a low-rent version of the Boys at times, but less skillfully executed, and at others like an exercise in creative dillydallying. I’ve leafed through it at several times and like James Kochalka’s other comics, besides his frequently-amusing daily comic strip, it is not entertaining as far as I’m concerned. I’m sure Kochalka is highly amused by his own work, which is the first rule of creating entertainment material in my book, but it’s definitely not for everyone or even, dare I say, for most comic readers.Sidebar: I drive down the street that photo is of every week when I get my comics.
Super Fuckers is not a good comic. It's bizarre and seems like a low-rent version of the Boys at times, but less skillfully executed, and at others like an exercise in creative dillydallying. I've leafed through it at several times and like James Kochalka's other comics, besides his frequently-amusing daily comic strip, it is not entertaining as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure Kochalka is highly amused by his own work, which is the first rule of creating entertainment material in my book, but it's definitely not for everyone or even, dare I say, for most comic readers.Sidebar: I drive down the street that photo is of every week when I get my comics.
I loved this comic series, but I think you have to had done a few drugs in your life to get this comic. Seriously one of my all time fave comics ever. But I’m a big fan of Kochalka, the man is honest, forthright and just doesnt give a f*ck. Much to be admired really. Plus my kid loves his kid comics.
I loved this comic series, but I think you have to had done a few drugs in your life to get this comic. Seriously one of my all time fave comics ever. But I’m a big fan of Kochalka, the man is honest, forthright and just doesnt give a f*ck. Much to be admired really. Plus my kid loves his kid comics.
I loved this comic series, but I think you have to had done a few drugs in your life to get this comic. Seriously one of my all time fave comics ever. But I'm a big fan of Kochalka, the man is honest, forthright and just doesnt give a f*ck. Much to be admired really. Plus my kid loves his kid comics.
Although I generally enjoy reading reviews about GOOD stuff, what I should read if I had time or money, it’s nice to see Robert Greenberger rip into something every once in a while. I enjoyed watching Robert tear “Superf*ckers” a new one.
Although I generally enjoy reading reviews about GOOD stuff, what I should read if I had time or money, it’s nice to see Robert Greenberger rip into something every once in a while. I enjoyed watching Robert tear “Superf*ckers” a new one.
Although I generally enjoy reading reviews about GOOD stuff, what I should read if I had time or money, it's nice to see Robert Greenberger rip into something every once in a while. I enjoyed watching Robert tear "Superf*ckers" a new one.
Grotus is king. Also, I fail to see how your expectations of what you imagined the content would be should have to weigh against the actual content.
Grotus is king. Also, I fail to see how your expectations of what you imagined the content would be should have to weigh against the actual content.
Grotus is king. Also, I fail to see how your expectations of what you imagined the content would be should have to weigh against the actual content.
Before you critise some ones work please make sure you have no spelling mistakes.
Black, black, that kettle is black, I tell you…
Syntax and grammar are good, too.
Before you critise some ones work please make sure you have no spelling mistakes.
Black, black, that kettle is black, I tell you…
Syntax and grammar are good, too.
Before you critise some ones work please make sure you have no spelling mistakes.
Black, black, that kettle is black, I tell you…
Syntax and grammar are good, too.