Happy Hour #02

Happy Hour #02

Ahoy Comics Mags 2020

Created & Written by Peter Milligan

Created & Illustrated by Michael Montenat

Coloured by Felipe Sobreiro

Lettered by Rob Steen

Electric Funny Sticks! Bloodsucking Joy Leeches! The cuddly horrors of Puppy Treatment! These and other state-enforced "remedies" for unhappiness drive Jerry and Kim to escape the Readjustment Center in the world's most depressing clown car! Plus extra prose stories and illustrations.

This is messed up and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They really did a number on Hamm last issue and we see that in full effect here and the ramifications of that are monumental on those who are still holding on to that ability to showcase a range of emotions. In many ways I like that the focus went from Hamm to Kim and Jerry as it almost feels unexpected and in this place to find someone to be with, no even romantically speaking because oh no this joint ain’t for that, who you can be yourself and have something in common ya gotta hold onto that.

The way this is being told is amazing. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is so much fun to see play out. The sheer amount of what these two have to go through is one of the most entertaining and utterly bizarre series of events that keeps the reader glued to the page. Peter is such a master storyteller and how we manages to structure the book and show the layers within the story is really what makes this such an experience. The character development is interesting just because of the inherent nature of the book itself. The pacing is fantastic and as it takes us through the pages continuing to reveal the story and the twists & turns along the way. How we see everything working together here to create the story’s ebb & flow is utterly delightful.

One of the things about Ahoy Comics is that they don’t just put out a comic they make it an experience. Sure the sequential storytelling is amazing and the added extras are wonderfully done as well but it really is the overall experience that the reader has which makes all the difference in the world. The quality and level of work that these creators bring to the table is immeasurable.

The interiors here are fantastic! The linework is phenomenal and how we see the varying weights being utilised to create the attention that we see is beautifully rendered. The creativity and imagination in what we see is amazing as well and those leeches oy vey yes more of that please! Also those tighty whities made me laugh which was perfectly placed. The way that we see the backgrounds being utilised throughout the book makes me a happy camper. They provide us with depth perception, a sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story while enhancing the moments and that’s exactly what they should do. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a remarkably talented eye for storytelling. I love the colour work that we see here. The hues and tones within the colours we see being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is exceptionally well rendered. Plus seeing that floor with those tiles yes as dizzy and maddening as they are it’s so bloody perfect!

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The oddball idea that becomes an extraordinary story is what we get when it comes to Ahoy Comics Mags. This is the place where you really should expect the unexpected because that’s what’s around every corner.