[Comic Book Review] 'Groo: Play of the Gods' TPB from Dark Horse Comics

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[Comic Book Review] ‘Groo: Play of the Gods’ TPB from Dark Horse Comics

Joshua Winchester

January 3, 2018

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PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of the GROO: PLAY OF THE GODS TPB from Dark Horse Comics. The trade paperback features writing from Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier, art from Sergio Aragonés, colors by John Ercek and Tom Luth, with lettering from Stan Sakai.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review of…

Groo: Play of the Gods TPB

Writers: Sergio Aragonés, Mark Evanier
Artist: Sergio Aragonés
Colorists: John Ercek, Tom Luth
Letterer: Stan Sakai
Cover Artist: Sergio Aragonés

Genre: Humor
Publication Date: February 07, 2018
Format: FC, 116 pages; TPB, 7” x 10”
SRP: $17.99
Age range: 8+

We had the Fray of the Gods. Now we have the Play of the Gods–a tale of lust for gold, lust for power, and lust for cheese dip. As with all things Groo, it’s brought to you by the award-winning team of Sergio Aragones, ably assisted by the lettering of Stan Sakai and the coloring of Tom Luth. The Gods themselves watch this story from the above so it must be good enough for you. This handsome paperback volume collects the four issues of the original series, so in one package, you get a lot of Groo doing real stupid things and causing mass destruction. Just what you wanted!

* Eisner and Harvey Award-winning creators, and an Eisner Award-winning title!

* An all-ages adventure!

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
Groo: Play of the Gods TPB

Writing:

Sergio brings more laughs to readers with another Groo epic. Mark aids in these hijinks with his work as wordsmith and it proves that their working dynamic will never cease to be fantastic. Groo is a beloved and wonderful character and Sergio’s work bringing his adventures to life over the years will never stop being excellent. It gives fans/readers another load of laughs as they get to watch Groo reek havoc while the pantheon’s just watch and do nothing.

Art:

Sergio’s artwork wins like it always does. There is a certain amount of comedy that seems to be channeled into this book, like with past Groo books he has worked on. Since the content is not of a serious nature, the linework does not have the sharp edges that other fantasy books have that deal with more intense story-lines. His art style is always a joy to see and this latest adventure with Groo is no exception.

John and Tom are a double duo of fantastic as colorists for Play of the Gods. Every page and every panel is alive with color. They clearly had a good time working on this project. One look at the first page alone sums that up. It’s a veritable color cornucopia and it’s all thanks to John and Tom.

Stan is the man on lettering for this latest Groo adventure. In all seriousness, getting to work with Sergio and Mark would be a delight and teaming up with John and Tom must have been utter fun. Each character’s words gives them a unique voice that is theirs, whether it’s Groo or any of the other prominent characters. Heck, even the various gods of the pantheons all can clearly be heard speaking with their distinct voice thanks to Stan’s lettering work.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:

Once again, Groo the Wanderer strides forth towards adventure and cheese dip. He goes forth on another quest for glory and cheesey goodness, all the while being drawn into a mad plot for gold, glory, and religious power. Will Groo succeed in his quest for cheese dip? Will the bad guys win and get the gold? And what of the gods, what will they do? All these questions will be answered when one buys this trade and adds it to their collection.