What’s my motivation? This line, delivered by an actor portraying a basketball player in a classic 90s Sprite commercial, is both thought provoking and personal. Just the word “motivation” itself indicates an external desirable objective and the relinquishing of internal objections. For Trini Wastelander, motivation is the chance to meet and join her favorite athlete’s team. You can’t doubt her level of devotion since the title of Boom Studios new series practically screams if from the rafters. Trini is ready to go the distance to let us all know that I Heart Skull-Crusher.
I Heart Skull-Crusher #1
Written By: Josie Campbell
Illustrated By: Alessio Zonno
Colors By: Angel De Santiago
Letters By: Jim Campbell
If there was any doubt about the level of adoration Trini has for the sport of Screaming Pain Ball and its MVP, the intro erases that immediately. The opening pages offer readers a full page spread and stats to assist in introducing us to Skull-Crusher. These panels provide the reader enough proof that Skull-Crusher is a phenom. Especially once you witness the ultra violent nature of Screaming Pain Ball and the level of fanaticism of the world that has embraced it. Skull-Crusher is significant to SPB since she is the first female player and yet her presence hasn’t diluted the sport.
I Heart Skull-Crusher matches the intensity of stadiums around the world thanks to its artistic tag team. Alessio Zonno and Angel De Santiago collaborate to capture the enthusiasm of fandom in a bottle and pour it out over the book’s pages like a sideline Gatorade celebration. De Santigao’s use of neon highlgts provides an intensity that is the equivalent of a sold out arena. The manga style that Zonno uses allows for facial exaggerations that recreate the extremes we experience towards our passions. This lets us witness Trini’s pursuit and her pain, the highs and lows that only us die hard fans will completely understand.
Because while the title of this series may be I Heart Skull-Crusher, we can’t completely ignore Trini. Josie Campbell has created a story which every comic book fan can find relatable. First, Trini’s love of SPB and Skull-Crusher began at an early age. Since then Trini has dealt with an endless amount of discouragement and disrespect regarding her pursuit. As she speaks to her parents skulls, looking for support, readers may recognize themselves in I Heart Skull-Crushers pages. Despite a desire to do something you continue to find the gates being shut in your face.
I Heart Skull-Crusher is one of several comics to come from the publishers Boom Box imprint. While Boom Studios uses this line to inspire young readers, they also serve to reinvigorate us older readers as well. A reminder of a less jaded, cynical time in our lives and world. A world that these days very much resembles the American Waste where Trini lives. Yet Trini still manages a smile, still has joy and most importantly has no problem telling the world I Heart Skull-Crusher.
Once the world takes away all you have, is there anything left to lose? Who wouldn’t risk it all for what might be their only chance? Trini Wastelander will and now all she needs is a few others who share her infatuation and aren’t afraid to proclaim, I Heart Skull-Crusher.
For anyone chasing down a dream in the face of despair, Trini and I Heart Skull-Crusher pose one simple question:
Is It In You?
Score: 9.1