PopCultHQ received a review copy of the hardcover edition of QUICK STOPS from Dark Horse Comics. Available now, the creators in this collection feature writing by Kevin Smith, pencils by Jeremy Simser & Phil Hester, inks by Jeremy Simser, Ande Parks, Tango, and Ahmed Raafat, and letters by Andrew Thomas
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
QUICK STOPS HC
Written by Kevin Smith
Pencils by Jeremy Simser and Phil Hester
Inks by Jeremy Simser, Ande Parks, Tango, and Ahmed Raafat
Letters by Andrew Thomas
Cover Art by John Sprengelmeyer
Publication Date: July 12, 2023
Format: FC, 424 pages; HC, 7″ x 10″
ISBN-13: 978-1-50673-476-7
ISBN-10: 1-50673-476-6
Age range: 16+
SRP: $24.99
Release Date: July 12th, 2023
Collects the four-issue miniseries.
Following on the heels of Clerks III, the Askewniverse is expanding with Quick Stops–a black-and-white anthology series full of all new tales of retail from the Jersey world of Kevin Smiths classic comedies!
Featuring four never-before-told stories from the Quick Stop family of characters that populate Smith’s films Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, and of course, the Clerks trilogy!
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
Face front fans and turn your eyes to the skies. Kevin Smith, one of the mack daddies of Jersey, makes a comeback to comics that will surely make everyone cheer. Presented in a fine HC edition is a series of delightful and fun stories that will answer some life-long questions that fans of Smith and his movies have been asking over the years. One of the things that is a standout and stand-up achievement for this collection is that not only does Kevin take point as the scriptmaster on all the tales, but it is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of all who pick it up.
Writing: Comic book fans and Kevin Smith fans will appreciate that this collection is not just about Kevin being the sole writer of all the stories within. What will become evident from page one is that, in contrast, his previous work in the superhero genre lent itself to a more serious flavor. Here he takes the kid gloves off and goes full bore with the same brand of humor that has endeared him to audiences since the release of Clerks in 1994. These vignettes are funny, foul-mouthed, and chock-full of page after page of witty dialogue and outrageous moments.
Pencils: Jeremy Simser and Phil Hester did a fantastic job on the pencils for this HC. They have worked on many notable projects throughout their careers, so being paired with Kevin Smith to bring the untold tales of the Askewniverse to life is an absolute treat. Their lines are clean and the level of detail is terrific, especially with all of the zany facial expressions on everyone’s faces throughout the book. Be warned, though, some of what these two illustrate is not for the faint of heart, and if you are reading this book while enjoying a frosty beverage, you might do a spit-take. Nevertheless, Jeremy and Phil knocked this one out of the park!
Inks: As the inkers, Jeremy, Ande, Tango, and Ahmed are the final creative element for this fun book. All four of them bring their talents to the table to take on the task of inking these stories. It’s clear that they had as much fun working on the book as Kevin did writing it, and it shows in their dedication across every page. All of them complement the artwork beautifully, and not a single bit of ink reduces the greatness of the art. For everyone who aspires to be an inker in the comics industry, let the work of these four fine folks be a template for how to do it right.
Overall Assessment:
If you are a fan of Kevin Smith and his work, this HC is the pick for you. Chock-full of fun stories, great art, clean inks, and a laugh on every page, having this book in your collection is a smooth move indeed. So the next time you feel like you want to take a break from the world and all its problems, sit, turn off your brain, and let the wonderful world of the Askewniverse take you away to a faraway land. It is a land of cranky clerks, sour video store merchants, and ultimately, the place where Jay and Silent Bob call home. Snootchie bootchies, everyone!
PopCultHQ’s Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
About Dark Horse Comics:
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics is an excellent example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and transform a company with humble beginnings into an industry giant. Over the years, Dark Horse has published the work of creative legends such as Yoshitaka Amano, Margaret Atwood, Paul Chadwick, Geof Darrow, Will Eisner, Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Faith Erin Hicks, Kazuo Koike, Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Kentaro Miura, Moebius, Chuck Palahniuk, Wendy Pini, Richard Pini, and Gerard Way. In addition, Dark Horse has a long tradition of establishing exciting new creative talent throughout all of its divisions. The company has also set the industry standard for quality licensed comics, graphic novels, collectibles, and art books, including Stranger Things, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Dragon Age, James Cameron’s Avatar, Game of Thrones, Mass Effect, StarCraft, The Witcher, and Halo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.
