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Kaptara #1-5
Kaptara, Vol. 1: Fear Not Tiny Alien
Keith Kanga crash lands on KAPTARA, a world filled with danger and weird danger and dangerous weirdos! And if he can't survive, then Earth, the place where you live, is doomed!
Come check out this sci-fi comedy from Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals) and Kagan McLeod (Infinite Kung-Fu).
Collecting: KAPTARA #1-5
Come check out this sci-fi comedy from Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals) and Kagan McLeod (Infinite Kung-Fu).
Collecting: KAPTARA #1-5
130 pages, ebook
First published November 19, 2015
16 people are currently reading
662 people want to read
About the author
Chip Zdarsky
873 books854 followersChip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
July 19, 2016
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
I picked up Kaptara for a multitude of reasons: (1) The liburrrrrry didn’t have Howard the Duck; (2) John Waters blurbed it; and (3) Sam hated it. Now, I don’t make a habit of requesting things Sam hates, but since he hates almost everything sometimes it happens. It also confirmed that I most definitely have the mentality of a 12-year old because I thought this was full of hardy-hars.
It started on the very first page . . .
Between the uniforms and the “get your pump on” commentary only one thing came to mind . . .
So it didn’t end up being a story about an ambiguously gay duo, but I still chuckled at even non-funny things since my mind never leaves the gutter . . .
Turns out those asteroids are pretty bad mammajammas which cause the ship to crash on an alien planet where our MC Keith is nearly murdered by a dude named Skullthor . . .
Luckily a Khal Drogo looking mah fah is there to save the day and bring our MC Keith back to his queen . . .
Unfortunately, he’s also joined by the queen’s son . . .
And learns that Earth will be destroyed unless Kaptara does something about it. His reaction????
(ORDER THE FARKIN’ HOWARD THE DUCK ALREADY, LIBRARIAN!)
Then some stuff and things happen that cause Keith to rethink things and join in on the good fight. He gets a chance to meet some of my relatives . . .
And turns tricks on them when they ask for help murdering Gandalf . . .
Other stuff and things happen, including Weekend at Bernie’s references and an offer for a guy who looked like this . . .
To aid Keith’s sleep by using his “love hand” . . . .
Oh god. I love lowbrow humor.
So you might lose a few brain cells while reading this, but come on laughing is good! It’s summertime - Lower your standards and have some fun : )
I picked up Kaptara for a multitude of reasons: (1) The liburrrrrry didn’t have Howard the Duck; (2) John Waters blurbed it; and (3) Sam hated it. Now, I don’t make a habit of requesting things Sam hates, but since he hates almost everything sometimes it happens. It also confirmed that I most definitely have the mentality of a 12-year old because I thought this was full of hardy-hars.
It started on the very first page . . .
Between the uniforms and the “get your pump on” commentary only one thing came to mind . . .
So it didn’t end up being a story about an ambiguously gay duo, but I still chuckled at even non-funny things since my mind never leaves the gutter . . .
Turns out those asteroids are pretty bad mammajammas which cause the ship to crash on an alien planet where our MC Keith is nearly murdered by a dude named Skullthor . . .
Luckily a Khal Drogo looking mah fah is there to save the day and bring our MC Keith back to his queen . . .
Unfortunately, he’s also joined by the queen’s son . . .
And learns that Earth will be destroyed unless Kaptara does something about it. His reaction????
(ORDER THE FARKIN’ HOWARD THE DUCK ALREADY, LIBRARIAN!)
Then some stuff and things happen that cause Keith to rethink things and join in on the good fight. He gets a chance to meet some of my relatives . . .
And turns tricks on them when they ask for help murdering Gandalf . . .
Other stuff and things happen, including Weekend at Bernie’s references and an offer for a guy who looked like this . . .
To aid Keith’s sleep by using his “love hand” . . . .
Oh god. I love lowbrow humor.
So you might lose a few brain cells while reading this, but come on laughing is good! It’s summertime - Lower your standards and have some fun : )
March 10, 2016
Chip Zdarsky and Kagan McLeod’s Kaptara is a supposed sci-fi “comedy” that’s about as funny as watching someone die of ebola.
The series is a parody of 80s cartoons like Masters of the Universe and Thundercats though I don’t know who’s been waiting for anything like that. An astronaut called Keith crash-lands on the alien planet Kaptara after being sucked into a wormhole on his way to Mars. On Kaptara he meets character-types from the aforementioned titles as well as Smurfs parodies.
Keith is quite the cunt. A whiny, lazy protagonist, he bumbles about the book not doing or caring about anything or anyone but himself. He is completely annoying especially when he tries being funny and I despised him. The other characters are one-dimensional nobodies who never rise above their derivations. The men are generally all buffoons while the women are all strong and competent. Why? I guess “comedy” but if you’re laughing at that you’re the cheapest date.
Gun to my head, I couldn’t tell you a single joke from this comic to illustrate how unfunny it is because I didn’t see any. There’s a half-hearted attempt at a plot when the villain decides to invade Earth that gets totally undermined by Zdarsky constantly taking the piss out of everything. “Ooh, the planet’s in danger, honk honk fart.” Well why bother with the drama at all then?
I’m not a fan of Kagan McLeod’s art either which is a bit like Kyle Baker’s awful limp linework with warped human figures and washed-out colours. It’s ugly to look at though I suppose it fits the stunningly awful script.
I can’t believe this is from the same guy who gave us Sex Criminals and Howard the Duck. I think this is the worst comic I’ve read this year. Fuck off with your shite jokes, Chip Zdarsky, you embarrassing clown.
Do not read Craptara.
The series is a parody of 80s cartoons like Masters of the Universe and Thundercats though I don’t know who’s been waiting for anything like that. An astronaut called Keith crash-lands on the alien planet Kaptara after being sucked into a wormhole on his way to Mars. On Kaptara he meets character-types from the aforementioned titles as well as Smurfs parodies.
Keith is quite the cunt. A whiny, lazy protagonist, he bumbles about the book not doing or caring about anything or anyone but himself. He is completely annoying especially when he tries being funny and I despised him. The other characters are one-dimensional nobodies who never rise above their derivations. The men are generally all buffoons while the women are all strong and competent. Why? I guess “comedy” but if you’re laughing at that you’re the cheapest date.
Gun to my head, I couldn’t tell you a single joke from this comic to illustrate how unfunny it is because I didn’t see any. There’s a half-hearted attempt at a plot when the villain decides to invade Earth that gets totally undermined by Zdarsky constantly taking the piss out of everything. “Ooh, the planet’s in danger, honk honk fart.” Well why bother with the drama at all then?
I’m not a fan of Kagan McLeod’s art either which is a bit like Kyle Baker’s awful limp linework with warped human figures and washed-out colours. It’s ugly to look at though I suppose it fits the stunningly awful script.
I can’t believe this is from the same guy who gave us Sex Criminals and Howard the Duck. I think this is the worst comic I’ve read this year. Fuck off with your shite jokes, Chip Zdarsky, you embarrassing clown.
Do not read Craptara.
August 27, 2021
He-man crossed with Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. But this doesn't work, it's just boring and nonsensical.
Received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2016
*Received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for honest review
Ok. I was really looking forward to reading this, and I think my high expectations may have caused me to be a little let down. I love the potential for this series, and the art is absolutely beautiful and vibrant but the characters are really lacking depth. I'm hoping this will improve as it goes on.
Ok. I was really looking forward to reading this, and I think my high expectations may have caused me to be a little let down. I love the potential for this series, and the art is absolutely beautiful and vibrant but the characters are really lacking depth. I'm hoping this will improve as it goes on.
March 24, 2020
Kaptara, Volume 1 is one strange science fiction comic.
I picked this up at a book sale, where if you bought so many you would get a whole bunch free. This ended up being one of the extra books I grabbed to take part in the deal (because I'm a crazy book shopper). I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, but I like graphic novels and comics so I figured, why not?
Turns out, this book is just NOT for me. My mind felt like it had melted and left me feeling utterly confused. This sort of science fiction is not my cup of tea at all. I can totally appreciate that other people enjoy this, but I'll just sit this series out and let everyone else have their fun.
This felt very 80s/90s alien sci-fi with goofy jokes that just didn't hit with me. There's a group of aliens and people that band together to try to... do something? I Could barely tell you the plot. I can tell you there is a naked wizard who uses his beard as clothing though. That was disturbing.
Overall, not for me. I won't be continuing with this series.
One out of five stars.
I picked this up at a book sale, where if you bought so many you would get a whole bunch free. This ended up being one of the extra books I grabbed to take part in the deal (because I'm a crazy book shopper). I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, but I like graphic novels and comics so I figured, why not?
Turns out, this book is just NOT for me. My mind felt like it had melted and left me feeling utterly confused. This sort of science fiction is not my cup of tea at all. I can totally appreciate that other people enjoy this, but I'll just sit this series out and let everyone else have their fun.
This felt very 80s/90s alien sci-fi with goofy jokes that just didn't hit with me. There's a group of aliens and people that band together to try to... do something? I Could barely tell you the plot. I can tell you there is a naked wizard who uses his beard as clothing though. That was disturbing.
Overall, not for me. I won't be continuing with this series.
One out of five stars.
March 11, 2016
This book suffers from the same problem as Zdarsky's Howard the Duck: it's not funny enough to be exciting just for what it is, and it is not serious enough to be a good story. There is not a single character in Kaptara I could give a damn about, nor is there a plot for which I want to come back. It's all just a bunch of ugly looking dudes telling bad fart jokes on some far away planet with aliens. If you write something like this, there must be at least some amount of good story elements or your fart jokes must be very good to make people come back for more. But this, right now, feels like reading a very long anecdote at the back of a really bad newspaper.
September 24, 2016
(Mike's thoughts before reading) Chip you mad Canadian bastard, you Bette blow my mind here.
(Mike's thoughts after reading) Umm...
Here's the basics: Shit goes sideways right quick for these under-prepared space-farers.
And while it's happening I'm thinking, "Why did these mostly-nice people have to get hammered in the anus so fucking quickly after we see them 'start' their adventure?" Which is weird, because clearly they've been at their space-training (let alone their world-conqueringly amazing specializations) for years, and this is supposed to be yet another boring day among hundreds...like most jobs. Occasional excitement when someone found a new way to be an asshole to a co-worker, spaced out among the grey mass of dickless days that make you want to do anything except keep showing up.
So they showed up for day who-knows-anymore and got their asses spanked by the depths (and widths) of space. And they behave like a plethora of normal adults.
Chip, did you lose your brain-bendingly-absurd/vile sense of humour? I mean this is amusing:
And weird-ass objects are amusing and attention-grabbing:
But not quite the guilty pleasure that Sex Criminals (and everything Matt Fraction has said about you behind your back) led me to believe...
OTOH, as an allegory to , the weirdos of this book definitely make me want to believe there's some political satire afoot:
[I'm projecting a strain of Trump-followers on this group]
(Mike's thoughts after reading) Umm...
Here's the basics: Shit goes sideways right quick for these under-prepared space-farers.
And while it's happening I'm thinking, "Why did these mostly-nice people have to get hammered in the anus so fucking quickly after we see them 'start' their adventure?" Which is weird, because clearly they've been at their space-training (let alone their world-conqueringly amazing specializations) for years, and this is supposed to be yet another boring day among hundreds...like most jobs. Occasional excitement when someone found a new way to be an asshole to a co-worker, spaced out among the grey mass of dickless days that make you want to do anything except keep showing up.
So they showed up for day who-knows-anymore and got their asses spanked by the depths (and widths) of space. And they behave like a plethora of normal adults.
Chip, did you lose your brain-bendingly-absurd/vile sense of humour? I mean this is amusing:
And weird-ass objects are amusing and attention-grabbing:
But not quite the guilty pleasure that Sex Criminals (and everything Matt Fraction has said about you behind your back) led me to believe...
OTOH, as an allegory to , the weirdos of this book definitely make me want to believe there's some political satire afoot:
[I'm projecting a strain of Trump-followers on this group]
January 8, 2016
This comic is so weird. But it's funny.
It's kinda like He-Man on acid. Kinda. Or maybe Conan the Barbarian written by Ed Roth.
Hmmmm. That might be the same thing.
And I need my own Motivational Orb to follow me around.
And what's with Melvon the naked wizard?
I love the 2-page spread at the end, and the explanations! I’d hate to see the inside of this writer's head. In fact, I have to give this an extra star just for that ending.
Favorite quote:
I'm such a nerd! I want to beat me up!
I really enjoyed this. I'll be looking for the next volume.
Thanks to NetGalley, Diamond, and Image Comics for a copy in return for an honest review.
It's kinda like He-Man on acid. Kinda. Or maybe Conan the Barbarian written by Ed Roth.
Hmmmm. That might be the same thing.
And I need my own Motivational Orb to follow me around.
And what's with Melvon the naked wizard?
I love the 2-page spread at the end, and the explanations! I’d hate to see the inside of this writer's head. In fact, I have to give this an extra star just for that ending.
Favorite quote:
I'm such a nerd! I want to beat me up!
I really enjoyed this. I'll be looking for the next volume.
Thanks to NetGalley, Diamond, and Image Comics for a copy in return for an honest review.
January 6, 2016
Don't let the two-star rating deter you. This wasn't bad; it just wasn't my cup of tea.
I had some doubts about whether I would like an entire series of Chip Zdarsky (current run of Howard the Duck, illustrator of Sex Criminals) humor, especially since I don't generally like funny things, and, in the end, those doubts turned out to be correct, mostly.
I enjoyed Kaptara for about the first 2.5 issues, and it was a good mix of witty, dude speak, and liberal jokes, but in the end, I just wanted the story to *go* somewhere and for me to actually care about the characters. This series reads more like the retro cartoons that it appears to be attempting to be a throwback to (reminiscent to me of "He-Man," "Smurfs," etc), or something like "Gilligan's Island," in which there is a loose goal (to get back to earth and save it), but each issue is encountering some new zaniness. If you're the type of person who likes funny things, and this type of series (and that's great, and there are many people who do!), then Kaptara is for you.
I enjoyed the art for the most part, which also seemed like an homage to older cartoons/comics, but with more detail and imagination of the fantasy/space setting. Even though the color palette is intentionally bright and Jem-esque, it wasn't garish and distracting as I find the coloring in ODY-C.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital review copy.
I had some doubts about whether I would like an entire series of Chip Zdarsky (current run of Howard the Duck, illustrator of Sex Criminals) humor, especially since I don't generally like funny things, and, in the end, those doubts turned out to be correct, mostly.
I enjoyed Kaptara for about the first 2.5 issues, and it was a good mix of witty, dude speak, and liberal jokes, but in the end, I just wanted the story to *go* somewhere and for me to actually care about the characters. This series reads more like the retro cartoons that it appears to be attempting to be a throwback to (reminiscent to me of "He-Man," "Smurfs," etc), or something like "Gilligan's Island," in which there is a loose goal (to get back to earth and save it), but each issue is encountering some new zaniness. If you're the type of person who likes funny things, and this type of series (and that's great, and there are many people who do!), then Kaptara is for you.
I enjoyed the art for the most part, which also seemed like an homage to older cartoons/comics, but with more detail and imagination of the fantasy/space setting. Even though the color palette is intentionally bright and Jem-esque, it wasn't garish and distracting as I find the coloring in ODY-C.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital review copy.
February 18, 2016
This one sits at a 3.5 for me, but there's enough here to push it over. Character depth is severely lacking, with constant banter in place of developmental dialogue. The story is also a bit oddly split between being a Star Trek style space story about wormholes, and being an over-the-top He-Man parody. I think Kaptara might have been stronger if it had stuck more closely to the latter concept, but maybe Chip has something in store for us that blends the genres in a fun way down the line.
Anyway, this book, while not as laugh out loud hilarious as Sex Crimz, is pretty damn funny. A lot of the concepts are just hilarious to look at, and you can get a few good laughs out of every issue. The designs here are very strong, with constantly beautiful and grotesque scenery on every page. Kagan McLeod's art reminds me a great deal of Kyle Baker's, and the style works to the books benefit.
Kaptara is funny, and a lot of fun to look at. I wish the characters were better, but the He-Man spoofs really are awesome, and honestly sell this book on ideas alone. I do hope it gets even better, because if that novelty was missing I probably wouldn't have enjoyed this nearly as much.
Anyway, this book, while not as laugh out loud hilarious as Sex Crimz, is pretty damn funny. A lot of the concepts are just hilarious to look at, and you can get a few good laughs out of every issue. The designs here are very strong, with constantly beautiful and grotesque scenery on every page. Kagan McLeod's art reminds me a great deal of Kyle Baker's, and the style works to the books benefit.
Kaptara is funny, and a lot of fun to look at. I wish the characters were better, but the He-Man spoofs really are awesome, and honestly sell this book on ideas alone. I do hope it gets even better, because if that novelty was missing I probably wouldn't have enjoyed this nearly as much.
January 20, 2016
Thanks to Jim for rec'ing this one!
This was so much fun. There was wackiness, intriguing art, and a journey through a foreign planet encountering all kinds of shenanigans. I really enjoyed how each group of inhabitants that we meet has its own distinct culture and backstory. Zdarsky is fleshing out this vibrant world filled with colorful characters and unique histories.
I enjoyed the scandals and intrigues of Kaptara more than the characters' quest to save Earth from the threat of invasion, but Zdarsky has set himself up well, with lots of room to explore many angles of the story. Makes me want to keep reading!
Oh, and the Gromps made me laugh out loud in their not-at-all-veiled reference...
This was so much fun. There was wackiness, intriguing art, and a journey through a foreign planet encountering all kinds of shenanigans. I really enjoyed how each group of inhabitants that we meet has its own distinct culture and backstory. Zdarsky is fleshing out this vibrant world filled with colorful characters and unique histories.
I enjoyed the scandals and intrigues of Kaptara more than the characters' quest to save Earth from the threat of invasion, but Zdarsky has set himself up well, with lots of room to explore many angles of the story. Makes me want to keep reading!
Oh, and the Gromps made me laugh out loud in their not-at-all-veiled reference...
November 25, 2015
Alien planet.
Cat-tanks.
Naked Wizard.
That alone would make me pick up a story. Kaptara has all of that and oh so much more.
It's like Saga meets Black Science only a heck of a lot funnier. The story doesn't take itself to seriously, and in this case, that's a good thing.
This book is bonkers. I love it!
Cat-tanks.
Naked Wizard.
That alone would make me pick up a story. Kaptara has all of that and oh so much more.
It's like Saga meets Black Science only a heck of a lot funnier. The story doesn't take itself to seriously, and in this case, that's a good thing.
This book is bonkers. I love it!
June 25, 2017
Cheesy.... won't be continuing.
April 18, 2021
Another terrible idea
September 15, 2021
Okay, let me get this out of the way first. I adore any story that features an LGBT protagonist, because growing up they were basically non-existant. Well, there were the flaming queen stereotype characters but as a kid they just made me feel even more ashamed.
So thanks Chip Zdarsky for including one here in Keith, Prince of the Dance Floor. Problem is I found him extremely unlikable, he's selfish, prissy and kind of a jerk. Which is fine, there are selfish, prissy, jerky gay guys out there so it's all good. I just wish I liked him more as a character. He definitely grew on me as the story progressed, but not by much.
The other thing is, I grew up watching He-Man cartoons and playing with the action figures, but I honestly don't have any nostalgic fondness for it. So, while I can appreciate the many references to the franchise, it didn't really endear me to the story and I grew pretty tired of it around the halfway mark.
I really wanted to like this more, I wanted to love it, but I just didn't.
So thanks Chip Zdarsky for including one here in Keith, Prince of the Dance Floor. Problem is I found him extremely unlikable, he's selfish, prissy and kind of a jerk. Which is fine, there are selfish, prissy, jerky gay guys out there so it's all good. I just wish I liked him more as a character. He definitely grew on me as the story progressed, but not by much.
The other thing is, I grew up watching He-Man cartoons and playing with the action figures, but I honestly don't have any nostalgic fondness for it. So, while I can appreciate the many references to the franchise, it didn't really endear me to the story and I grew pretty tired of it around the halfway mark.
I really wanted to like this more, I wanted to love it, but I just didn't.
September 25, 2017
I did enjoy this story. But overall, it never sucked me in, and I never thought it was as funny as it wa ted me too. Some good art. Some funny characters and situations, all of which struggle to mesh. This was an enjoyable enough story just not able to pull off everything it wanted to.
Read
January 1, 2022Potpuna idiotija, genijalno, sramite se čestitam.
December 22, 2017
Cute and funny sci-fi comics. Resembled a lot the Franco-Belgian school of bandes dessinée.
Read
January 15, 2016Chip Zdarsky's art on Sex Criminals has made him one of the big names in Image's current renaissance; here, as writer, he brings some of the same smutty glee to what seems a fairly niche project - an adult-oriented He-Man piss-take. So a misanthropic gay astronaut finds himself stranded in a strange world which initially seems much more to his taste than Earth (all those muscles!), until he realises he's surrounded by disturbing freaks and idiot psychos. Meanwhile, the skull-headed lord of evil has headed for Earth...
The mix of silliness, gentle filth and satire reminds me of Mad (at least, as it was in the seventies and eighties, old copies of which are the only Mad I know); if I have a problem, it's the difficulties of mocking something already as daft as He-Man - Kaptara's Johnny Fists and Fernus seem slightly more sensible than their inspirations, Fisto and Moss Man.
(Got this as an ARC but bought a Humble Bundle also containing it before I finished, so not sure whether I need declare an interest or not)
The mix of silliness, gentle filth and satire reminds me of Mad (at least, as it was in the seventies and eighties, old copies of which are the only Mad I know); if I have a problem, it's the difficulties of mocking something already as daft as He-Man - Kaptara's Johnny Fists and Fernus seem slightly more sensible than their inspirations, Fisto and Moss Man.
(Got this as an ARC but bought a Humble Bundle also containing it before I finished, so not sure whether I need declare an interest or not)
July 13, 2017
what the hell did I just read! Drop a gay man in the midst of wacky sci-fi He-Man nonsense, and you'll essentially get this book. Which isn't necessarily a complaint; I found it amusing in some places. I couldn't follow along at all points - especially that 'flashback' that wasn't actually framed as a flashback until after the flashback.
The art was gorgeous! However... Pacing feels a bit off in a lot of places; some parts drag on for pages and pages, and then important action is squished into two or three panels. A lot of the dialogue seems to be there only for the wit, not necessarily to reflect on the character's personality or how they would actually react to a situation.
If the next volume passes through my hands I may check it out, but I don't think I'll go actively looking for more of this. Pick it up if you're nostalgic for weird 1980s cartoons but realize that watching old 1980s cartoons will just leave you disappointed in the quality.
The art was gorgeous! However... Pacing feels a bit off in a lot of places; some parts drag on for pages and pages, and then important action is squished into two or three panels. A lot of the dialogue seems to be there only for the wit, not necessarily to reflect on the character's personality or how they would actually react to a situation.
If the next volume passes through my hands I may check it out, but I don't think I'll go actively looking for more of this. Pick it up if you're nostalgic for weird 1980s cartoons but realize that watching old 1980s cartoons will just leave you disappointed in the quality.
February 3, 2017
This book struck a chord with me, but not the right one. It tried too hard to be funny and edgy. In the end it just felt bland.
The setting has to be the best part of the book. It begins with a science team in the middle of space. They pass through a strange zone and end up crash landing on a world that seems inspired by Lord of the Rings and Alice in Wonderland. There are a lot of strange creatures and lands that the crew can travel too.
I did not like any of the characters though. They are taken to extremes that made them seem one dimensional. The story is decent, but the characters drag it down to a point where I didn't really care what was going on. I don't have much interest in the art either. It takes that nonsensical characterization and bumps it up a notch. Sometimes it worked though.
I wouldn't write this one off entirely. The humor that drives a lot of this just wasn't what I was looking for.
The setting has to be the best part of the book. It begins with a science team in the middle of space. They pass through a strange zone and end up crash landing on a world that seems inspired by Lord of the Rings and Alice in Wonderland. There are a lot of strange creatures and lands that the crew can travel too.
I did not like any of the characters though. They are taken to extremes that made them seem one dimensional. The story is decent, but the characters drag it down to a point where I didn't really care what was going on. I don't have much interest in the art either. It takes that nonsensical characterization and bumps it up a notch. Sometimes it worked though.
I wouldn't write this one off entirely. The humor that drives a lot of this just wasn't what I was looking for.
November 10, 2020
I really loved this, particularly the art and the incredibly cool villains, but felt like the political commentary kind of didn't work because, well, it came out in 2015 and the message was "ignore obnoxious slur-spewing conservatives and they'll wipe themselves out" and uhhhhh do I even need to say anything else?
Luckily that was far from the main focus of a comic and is very easy to ignore considering the grand scheme of the comic seems less satirical and more just a goofy take on classic space opera. Also very important to note: good, canon gay main character who is allowed to flirt and have fun.
I really hope people keep buying this trade so there's incentive to make more of this comic someday because it really did feel like it was just getting started.
Luckily that was far from the main focus of a comic and is very easy to ignore considering the grand scheme of the comic seems less satirical and more just a goofy take on classic space opera. Also very important to note: good, canon gay main character who is allowed to flirt and have fun.
I really hope people keep buying this trade so there's incentive to make more of this comic someday because it really did feel like it was just getting started.
February 23, 2016
In which John Carter of Mars becomes a dweeb, lets the baddy from He-Man swap places with him and attack Earth, and submits us to the worst sense of 'humour' in comics. Oddly, the over-pastellised artwork is the best thing about the book; it sure ain't the daft plot and unlikeable characters.
September 24, 2017
68th book read in 2017.
Number 441 out of 632 on my all time book list.
Creepy He-Man acid trip.
Number 441 out of 632 on my all time book list.
Creepy He-Man acid trip.
August 1, 2020
I'm a big Zdarsky fan. Maybe mostly of his mayoral run.
It seems like his stuff doesn't work for everyone, and I think it's because there's a blend between funny and serious that doesn't work for everyone. And that's cool.
Well, it's not cool. It's very dorky that some of you aren't fans. But I can't help you not be dorky. This isn't a John Hughes movie.
Okay, but if it was, here's what I'd tell you:
1. Stop Being a Nerd
Just cool it with the nerd action, okay?
2. Start Being Cool
Whatever stuff you would do as a nerd, do...not the opposite. Ask a cool person what they'd do. Can you get a cool person's phone number? And their willingness to text you back at any moment?
3. Ride a Motorcycle
I mean, duh.
4. Anything That's Unsafe is Cool
No helmets, no seatbelts, but do smoke. Basically, anything that's a bad idea, do that, and it's cool. What do you want to do, live til 100 being uncool? That's a long time to be uncool.
5. Virginity Might Have Something To Do With It?
Based on some films I saw in the late 90's, having a sex with someone is a good way to be cool.
6. Don't Forget The Girl Right By Your Side!
As you go on your adventure to flush your most precious gift of virginity down the urinal, don't forget that there's probably a girl best friend who is interested in you romantically. Sure, she wears overalls and glasses and has a ponytail. But if there's one thing I learned about doing sexes, it's that ponytails are just a hairstyle, and most of the time ladies with a ponytail don't have other horse anatomy. Mostly. 9 times out of 10.
It seems like his stuff doesn't work for everyone, and I think it's because there's a blend between funny and serious that doesn't work for everyone. And that's cool.
Well, it's not cool. It's very dorky that some of you aren't fans. But I can't help you not be dorky. This isn't a John Hughes movie.
Okay, but if it was, here's what I'd tell you:
1. Stop Being a Nerd
Just cool it with the nerd action, okay?
2. Start Being Cool
Whatever stuff you would do as a nerd, do...not the opposite. Ask a cool person what they'd do. Can you get a cool person's phone number? And their willingness to text you back at any moment?
3. Ride a Motorcycle
I mean, duh.
4. Anything That's Unsafe is Cool
No helmets, no seatbelts, but do smoke. Basically, anything that's a bad idea, do that, and it's cool. What do you want to do, live til 100 being uncool? That's a long time to be uncool.
5. Virginity Might Have Something To Do With It?
Based on some films I saw in the late 90's, having a sex with someone is a good way to be cool.
6. Don't Forget The Girl Right By Your Side!
As you go on your adventure to flush your most precious gift of virginity down the urinal, don't forget that there's probably a girl best friend who is interested in you romantically. Sure, she wears overalls and glasses and has a ponytail. But if there's one thing I learned about doing sexes, it's that ponytails are just a hairstyle, and most of the time ladies with a ponytail don't have other horse anatomy. Mostly. 9 times out of 10.
November 7, 2023
I thought this book merged the creative alien world of Ether, Vol. 1: Death of the Last Golden Blaze with the silliness of Curse Words, Vol. 1: The Devil's Devil. But I'd recommend either of those series before this one because they made it past the first volume. There is a spark here, but unfortunately not enough to light a whole fire.
Read for a comic shop's graphic novel book club
Read for a comic shop's graphic novel book club
November 24, 2017
This is a total blast! Starting out as science fiction the space travellers end up on a fantasy world planet inhabited by people who suspiciously seem to be from He-Man of the Universe. From that, I'm taking this to be a cross between a parody of He-Man and barbarian fantasy in general. The book is absolutely hilarious while having a well-plotted storyline. The characters are all wonderful whether they are the good guy, bad guy or weirdly insane guy. The main character is a black guy who is modestly gay. He teams up with a half-feline woman, a warrior with hair better than Farrah Fawcett, a naked wizard and an orb with hands that flashes inspirational quotes at inopportune moments. Slightly violent, coarse language and giggle-inducing humour would make me search out further titles in the series but it looks like the series was cancelled at this point. Too bad!
May 1, 2017
This is just pure, unadulterated, super-silly fun. It's now filling the weird-shaped hole that God Hates Astronauts left in my heart.
December 3, 2020
Keep teetering between 2 stars and 3. It was odd, very odd. But decently decent. That makes sense, yeah?
March 1, 2019
This really didn't work for me. I love the idea of doing something that references the quirky and ridiculous worlds of 80s kid's cartoons, and the characters in Kaptara definitely do that, with special focus on Masters of the Universe--many of the characters and vehicles and buildings look like action figures and playsets, which is pretty fun. My favorite part of the book was at the end, when dozens of stupid bad-guy warriors appear and we are treated to two pages of short, pun-filled profiles of each silly character.
But the actual comic was just painful. The story (about an astonishingly unlikable misandrist scientist who gets stuck in a fantasy universe and can barely muster any motivation to lift a finger to save the entire human world) was achingly unfunny for me most of the time (some gags landed, most made me grit my teeth) filled with wretched characters that I never want to see again. There are a lot of stupid situations the characters stumble into and snark their way out of again, and I couldn't be moved to care about any of it. Also, in one of the worst politically-motivated gags I have seen, there is a species of "troll" that appears in the story which are obviously a grotesque parody of the political right, depicted as all-male, ludicrously ignorant, bigoted, sexist losers who literally eat those they dislike and who apparently constantly masturbate to drawings of women. They also use racial epithets all the time against races and religions or whatever in the world of Kaptara, which the writers censor even though it is all made-up even while preserving f-bombs and sexually explicit dialogue for the yuks. Plus some characters have obnoxious speech tics, such as an entire race that adds "zzzz" to their words all the time, and another character that needlessly extends many consonant sounds. These affectations make reading the awful dialogue even worse.
I have seen some reviewers who liked the art, but I personally found it to be like a bad Mad Magazine adaptation.
Just in case you actually enjoy the writing, though, a completely useless diary entry from one of the characters is included in the book after the comic. It's just an absurd tale about a playboy barbarian going on a trip to have sex with a long-distance girlfriend, killing his riding beast and also his friend for catching a cold, then beating up and subsequently having sex with a random ugly man he meets in the middle of the road. If you find that synopsis funny, you might like this comic.
I found it to be one of the worst things I have read in a long time. Bleargh.
But the actual comic was just painful. The story (about an astonishingly unlikable misandrist scientist who gets stuck in a fantasy universe and can barely muster any motivation to lift a finger to save the entire human world) was achingly unfunny for me most of the time (some gags landed, most made me grit my teeth) filled with wretched characters that I never want to see again. There are a lot of stupid situations the characters stumble into and snark their way out of again, and I couldn't be moved to care about any of it. Also, in one of the worst politically-motivated gags I have seen, there is a species of "troll" that appears in the story which are obviously a grotesque parody of the political right, depicted as all-male, ludicrously ignorant, bigoted, sexist losers who literally eat those they dislike and who apparently constantly masturbate to drawings of women. They also use racial epithets all the time against races and religions or whatever in the world of Kaptara, which the writers censor even though it is all made-up even while preserving f-bombs and sexually explicit dialogue for the yuks. Plus some characters have obnoxious speech tics, such as an entire race that adds "zzzz" to their words all the time, and another character that needlessly extends many consonant sounds. These affectations make reading the awful dialogue even worse.
I have seen some reviewers who liked the art, but I personally found it to be like a bad Mad Magazine adaptation.
Just in case you actually enjoy the writing, though, a completely useless diary entry from one of the characters is included in the book after the comic. It's just an absurd tale about a playboy barbarian going on a trip to have sex with a long-distance girlfriend, killing his riding beast and also his friend for catching a cold, then beating up and subsequently having sex with a random ugly man he meets in the middle of the road. If you find that synopsis funny, you might like this comic.
I found it to be one of the worst things I have read in a long time. Bleargh.
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