Comic Book Review: Vavavavoom! #’s 1 & 2

Vavavavoom! #’s 1 & 2
Written by Paul Monsky
Illustrated by Ed Coutts, James Ritchey III, Rudy Nebres, etc.
Published by Palisades Press
Reviewed by Richard Caldwell

The Vavavavoom! series is a black and white comic of mixed genres, from adventure to mythological to science fiction. Seemingly a pet project and labour of love for Monsky, who also handles all duties aside from line art, leaving that to a particularly excellent roster of artists.

As the name implies, there is oodles of cheesecake to these stories; though the busty action never crosses to any pornographic degrees. Instead, the tales all remain fun and somewhat inspired by the innocence and imagination of previous eras in comics.

The individual stories- some self-contained and some continuing, cover a large scale of possibility and environments, from jungle action to gangbusters to alien worlds. More noteworthy still is in the fact that every single heroine presented represents something other than the aryan barbie doll. These ladies are of ranging cultures and ethnicities, which is a fine example of how far-reaching this work actually is; as opposed to being any manner of typical pin-up book of atypical pin-up girls. For one writer to successfully encapsulate such diverse narratives is really something else. Granted, the Vavavavoom! series most definately earns its title’s implications. And how.

The art is adequately covered by a range of styles, and while many of the names may be unfamiliar to readers of most mainstream books, there is a strong pedigree of vision here. The graphic innovator Nebres beautifully illustrating the lines- “The brave know fear but face it…believing they have a say in their fate! Believing that it matters how a person dies! Believing it matters how a person lives!” is a very worldly sentiment and highpoint for these issues. However, the books overall are a refreshing step away from the overly epic and grandiose storylines currently milking up the expenditures of many a fanboy today.

This is just naughty, naughty fun. And for grown-ups, of course!

Short stories exposing you to strong women dealing with a mix of imaginative plottes (double entendre fully intended/extended), Vavavavoom! presents itself as a great read. Published irregularly- I gather whenever jack of all trades Monsky and chief co-hort Coutts feel they have enough of the right quality materials, check out the link-filled website for information on how to get copies in your hands. Don’t just support small press. Support GOOD small press.

http://vavavavoomonline.com

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