Deathstroke/Yogi Bear Special #1
DC Comics
Written by: Frank Tieri
Art by: Mark Texiera
In a hilarious and wacky new installment to the DC and Hanna Barbera/Looney Tunes crossovers, Slade Wilson teams up with Jellystone Park’s pic-a-nic basket stealing Yogi Bear to save Yogi’s best pal Boo-Boo and stop H.I.V.E from creating an army of animal monsters beneath the park.
Hot off the heels of the underwhelming Old Lady Harley #1, Frank Tieri hit gold with this crossover. Everything about it was amazing, from Slade’s chemistry with Yogi to the heartwarming story about a bear willing to do anything to find his best friend, including hiring a brutal mercenary. The story is strong and only falters at the end with the introduction of the villains. Slade’s journey through Jellystone Park with Yogi was an absolute ball of non-stop cheesy fun. Yogi and Slade were polar opposites of each other, each having a distinct personality and obviously from two different worlds, yet the two integrated so well with each other. Ranger Smith played the straight man, helping achieve equilibrium between Yogi’s goofy personality and Slade’s angry demeanor. The dark humor and sometimes pure grittiness worked very well and created the perfect tone a story like this should have.
Mark Texeira’s art complimented Tieri’s story perfectly with fluid motions, terrific character designs, and detailed set pieces. Never did I think that Deathstroke and Yogi Bear would look so good riding on a motorcycle and being attacked by an evil rabbit.
Overall, this is easily one of, if not the best, DC/Hanna Barber crossovers yet, and I’m disappointed it’s only a one-shot. A strong story and stronger art make this comic a delightful read that will put anyone in a good mood.