Comic Book Review: Super Human Resources #’s 1-4

November 12, 2008 by Richard Caldwell
Filed under Reviews

Super Human Resources #’s 1-4
Written by Ken Marcus
Illustrated by Justin Bleep & Joey Mason
Published by Ape Entertainment
Reviewed by Richard Caldwell

Super Human Resources is the epic story of Tim, who has found employ as an office temp with the illustrious Super Crises International.

In a quick take, the presentation is a different spin on the mundanely corporate side of a corporate-sponsored super-hero team, though in its own right, it is ingenious. Just when you think all possible avenues of the super-hero genre have been covered and recycled to death, a work like this sneaks on by to yank out your funny bone and hit you over the head with it. A range of characters and the nonstop interplay of one-liners is on par with the Mike Judge movie, “Office Space”, or the Ben Edlund cartoon, “The Tick”.

Although not quite a direct parody in my opinion, as unconsidered puns and scenarios constantly play forth to pull you into a world where defending justice from maniacal villains could warrant you an audit just as the copier down the hall gains sentience and a bloodlust to boot. All of this amidst the expected ‘office hook-ups’, ‘office parties’, and ‘office psychopaths bent on world conquest’.
Indeed, the normalcy given to such concepts as aliens sharing water cooler moments with talking swamps gives the flow of the narrative a vibe that is both relevantly absurdist and comfortable. The everyman that is Tim having to cope with anything from reformed criminals turned administrative assistants to playing secret santa for someone capable of blotting out the sun, it all makes for fun fodder.

The comedy is remarkable, but the art is very animated, and for once I mean this in a good way. The loose yet mathematical linework, providing for imaginatively expressive nuances of form, remind me a bit more of the Brit illustrator Ian Pollock than of some syndicated cartoon.
I would hate for this story to be used as a pitch for an animated series, however, as multiple talents necessary for bringing it to the small screen would delineate the completeness of Super Human Resources, pocket protector-wearing office clerks lusting after other-dimensional princesses, et al.
My biggest complaint would be targeted at the publisher, whose marketing persons seem in need of unhealthy doses of Viagra. Great books are coming from that house, but they will not sell if people do not hear about them.

All in all, a fun read.

Issue one hits the stands in February, but you can place your order through the December iss of Previews. I suggest you do so, or face demotion to the mailroom.

http://www.superhumanresources.com

http://www.ape-entertainment.com