Killer Queens # 1
You may consider The Carousel of Progress an outdated ride in Disney’s Tomorrowland. And yet, I feel it serves as a nostalgic view of the future and change. The vibe coming off Killer Queens # 1 from Dark Horse Comics has a lot of the same 70s and 80s vision of the future and space. It also highlights the revolution that was beginning during that era. One that is only now being fully realized.
Created by: David M. Booher
Script by: David M. Booher
Art by: Claudia Balboni
Colors by: Harry Saxon
Letters by: Lucas Gattoni
Alex and Max are former assassins in space. They are on a sort of double date when they are confronted by Bieti. This “fluffy monkey” has bought some “otters” along to retrieve the ship the pair stole from him. After deciding to “Wreck the Place,” Alex manages an escape for the duo. During this scene, a great dialogue page courtesy of Lucas Gattoni fills in all the holes left to the plot. They gave up being assassins because as Max states they are Monsters, just not monsters. Feel free to go Gaga now.
killer queen does an amazing job with the candor of the conversations. better break out your urban version cause trying to use merriam-webster will leave you clueless.
From the start, writer David M. Booher leaves little room to the imagination in terms of what you can expect from this comic. And by little room, I mean bathroom where Max is hooking up with his date. This scene made me think of the late singer George Michaels stating how he could “never resist a free meal”. Ironically it takes place in Stan’s Diner described as ” the nicest restaurant in a really crappy part of the galaxy.” That should give you an idea of what to expect from Killer Queens. What it has to offer may not be pleasant to everyone’s palate. I found it to be a raunchy, rambunctious, somewhat riotous romp.
This comic takes it’s vision of space from the days of Asteroid and Buck Rogers. The days when disco was king…or better still Queen. Even the cover pays homage to the days of spinner racks when comics were 25 cents. The art and colors of both Claudia Balboni and Harry Saxon are excellent throwbacks.
To disregard Disney’s antiquated attraction is to disrespect what it showcases – our very ability to progress as individuals and society. Similarly, I feel the same way about the fabulous frontier presented in Killer Queens # 1. It is a testament to progress in regards to where we are now in light of how far we have come.