PopCultHQ received a review copy of THE SCHLUB Vol. 1 TPB from Image Comics. which releases on April 23rd in bookstores & April 24th in comic book shops.
Ryan Stegman (VANISH, Venom), Kenny Porter (Superboy, The Flash), Tyrell Cannon (Beef Bros), Mike Spicer (Beta Ray Bill), and John J. Hill (Harley Quinn) team up for a new action/comedy series!
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
THE SCHLUB Vol. 1 TPB
Written by Ryan Stegman & Kenny Porter
Art by Tyrell Cannon
Colors by Mike Spicer
Letters by John J. Hill
Cover Art by Tyrell Cannon w/ Mike Spicer
Collects THE SCHLUB #1-6
Failing dentist Roger Dalton blames the world for his problems until he is body-swapped with the world’s greatest superhero. Can Roger save Earth and finally prove to his family he’s not a loser? Or are we doomed? Featuring cataclysmic clashes! Enraged parents! Outer space action! Tender Romance! Brutal fisticuffs! Tooth extractions! All this and more in one colossal collection.
When everything seems to go wrong, who ya gonna call? No, not the folks in the jumpsuits with the flashy tech and that sweet ride. This is not that kind of story. No, this is a comic book about the little person, an average sort of character. They aren’t a police officer, or a firefighter, or even someone in the armed forces. They are just a dentist and not even a good one. But thanks to the dynamic creative team that took on this story, with its standout script, epic art, colors, and lettering, you dear readers will see that even someone ordinary can do something extremely unlikely: save the world.
Writing:
This TPB was a fun read, thanks to Ryan and Kenny’s careful handling of the script. After digging into their backgrounds, anyone who knows them will agree they make a fun writing team. Typically, when a new series like this hits the stores, it takes time to get off the ground, but between the two of them, they not only put forth characters who stand out but also have real development from the start. That was impressive to this reviewer because it means readers will genuinely want to connect and care about Roger Dalton (the aforementioned Schlub). Nicely done!
Art:
Discovering the artwork of Tyrell Cannon, thanks to this book, was a high point for me. Anyone who can render a brand new superhero world like The Schlub and do it excellently is worth checking out. His linework is smooth and clean, and the level of detail incorporated into each page is fantastic. No one, and I mean no one, feels like a piece of window dressing because of Tyrell’s art. Even the members of this world’s superteam, The Vigilant, look terrific and worthy of having their own spin-off comics. Top marks to Mr. Cannon for absolutely nailing it.
Colors:
Mike Spicer’s coloring blew my mind. And quite frankly, this is not a surprise. Check out his creator profile on the Image Comics website. It is clear that Mike has dipped a toe in many comic pools as a colorist over the years. There is something about the choices that are so rich, vibrant, and alive. Each page exploded with bright hues that evoke the work you expect from redemptive superhero stories. The colors feel like they are absolutely in your face as if they will pull you from your couch and into the book. It is a visceral experience for the eyes and, quite frankly, delightful. Please keep it coming, Mike; you are crushing it.
Letters:
John Hill has a gift for lettering/word design work. Throughout this TPB, whenever someone is in a fight or even when Roger is in his dental practice, the sounds and noises are classic comic book stuff, with beautiful designs and wild font choices. My only issue was the lettering for any of the mask and tights crowd, hero or villain. When the main villain spoke, it didn’t seem or feel like a vile alien presence was creeping into my brain. And that goes for the caped wonder archetype of the tale, too. There was no bravado, no chest-thumping you expect from someone who is Earth’s interstellar protector. Aside from all that, John knocked it out of the park in every other aspect.
Overall Assessment:
There is always one person in this world who seems to be failing spectacularly because life is just dumping on them. They become bitter and angry, taking it out on everyone around them, even those who still care deep down. And yet, when the opportunity to rise above that anger presents itself, these figures surprise us in the end. Dive into this fabulous world of superpowers, heroes, villains, and the exploits of a mediocre dentist who might be the one to save the world. Dare to dream and dare to be more than you are when you pick up this TPB from your local store.
PopCultHQ Rating:
4.5 out of 5 Stars
About Image Comics:
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a group of bestselling artists and has gone on to become the second largest comics publisher in the United States. The company currently has six individuals on the Board of Directors: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino, and Eric Stephenson. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, style, and format imaginable. Its titles run the gamut of science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime, humor, and are created by the top artists and writers working in the medium today.
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