Status Updates From Hyde Street, Volume 1

Notes:
(1) Issue #7 is an odd choice for a closer. Frankly, it's much better suited as the first issue of a new volume.
- Really, ending on issue #6—in addition to making the first two books an even six issues each—would've made far more sense and been a far more satisfying cliffhanger.
- Possibly, it's meant to end with an issue that's not a character profile or follow-up.

Notes:
(1) Issues #5-6 are a pair in more ways than one.
- Not only do they spotlight 1980s fitness freak Miss Goodbody, both are drawn by fill-in artist Francis Portela.
- Though seemingly unrelated, the theme of culpability in #6, once again, echoes and illuminates Miss Goodbody's character.
- These initial paired-up issues are like a series of one-two punch combinations.

Notes:
(1) Like the first two issues, #3-4 offer insight as a pair that wouldn't be so apparent (if at all) if read individually.
- We first encounter The Matinee Monster as a kind of Batman figure, literally swooping in to rescue a soul from damnation.
- Subsequently, we get his tragic origin—I guess they're all tragic—as a 1940s actor... typecast as a monster forevermore.

Notes:
(1) Issues #1-2 tell the origins of Mr. X-Ray and Pranky, offering insightful juxtaposition when read back-to-back.
- Mr. X-Ray turns away his daughter, not wanting anything to do with her after her mother dies.
- Not dissimilarly, Pranky has no mother and is regularly abused by his maimed, WWII hero father.
- They're clearly surrogate father and son for one another.

Notes:
(1) So, I've been meaning to read this for a while. It's just never been a priority.
- I've already read it in singles and forgot to read it (as I usually do) to prep for the second arc.
- But it's Halloween season, and no better time to binge the first two volumes to prep for the third arc.
- Hopefully, I'll binge it... my present year-long slump suggests I may not.