Slapstick #2 Review: By The Power Of Fair Use

Given that this is a superhero-type comic book, the time has come for a time-honored staple of the genre. No, not the 'misunderstanding leads to a hero vs hero fight', but the 'reluctant villain battle' staple. To be fair, Slapstick is barely a superhero and he only does jobs for money, but he's still reluctant. Really, he only bothers to do something after his niece and nephew start crying. Take note, evildoers, his greatest weakness is sobbing children.

The event occurs at a football game, where the fun has been interrupted by the first original villain created for this arc. Well, mostly original. The writers made it clear in interviews that they're planning on making fun of various Saturday morning cartoon archetypes in each issue. I don't know about you, but I think I know who's parodied here.

I agree, Conan O'Brien is really funny. I still have the "Minty" song stuck in my head.

By the power of fair use, it's the adventure genre, complete with a Conan/He-Man-esque warrior, bent on killing as many people as possible until the 'champion' arrives. That champion, for better or worse, seems to be Slapstick because his unique abilities render him the only one capable of surviving his assault. Unfortunately for him, it goes both ways. Bro-Man is equally capable of harming him, being made of the same electroplasmic substance. Good thing Slapstick had an extra arm!

Slapstick's greatest strength? Dancing around like a kid on a sugar rush.

The battle does eventually come to a bloody close, but the public nature of the fight ends up attracting the attention of everyone's favorite group of secret agents. No, not quite S.H.I.E.L.D., but the subdivision known as A.R.M.O.R. I wonder when they're going to run out of clever acronyms. They capture Slapstick and Quasimodo in an attempt to find out Quasy's employer. Before they can slap Slapstick with a prison sentence, another outbreak occurs. I'm not going to ruin it, but you might want to do some research on Hasbro's recent cinematic ventures before the next issue arrives.

Slapstick #2 is amazing. Reilly Brown and Fred Van Lente are doing an amazing job with the writing. If you've ever wanted to see Slapstick putting on an awful French accent to impress an A.R.M.O.R. agent or children cheering on murder, this comic is your best friend. Diego Olortegui's art and Jim Campbell's coloring add to the humor, bringing a delightful pastel sense to the violence.

Slapstick #2 is written by Reilly Brown and Fred Van Lente and drawn by Reilly Brown and Diego Olortegui. You can find it at your local comic book shop.

Zachary Krishef is an evil genius. Do not question his knowledge of Saturday Night Live trivia or Harry Potter books.