The Phoenix Colossal Comics Collection, Volume 2

May 7, 2018
The glossy pages of this volume offer four longer episodes of Troy and the Trailblazers, a space adventure-comedy, punctuated by shorter episodes of a half-dozen animal comics played strictly for laughs. In a predictable initial sequence (âIâm picking up a huge energy signature in the center of the Archivesâ), the space gangâvacuous Troy; cynical Jess; their furry companion, Barrus; and robot assistant Blipâdefeat their galactic enemies, the Bioteks. But then Troy and friends are offered a reality TV show whose director bamboozles Troy into jettisoning Jess for superstardom (âTrent thinks youâreâ¦holding me back,â Troy tells the enraged Jess) and reveals himself as Troyâs evil twin. In another story, bold, ink-heavy panels pit the manic Monkey against the placid Bunny: âAll hail Destructo!â Monkey commands, assuming his latest evil persona. âTake off the helmet and stop being silly,â Bunny replies. The surreal Doug Slugman; a Despicable Me clone, Evil Emperor Penguin; a manic housecat-from-hell, Looshkin; and the genial Squid Squad round out the collection. Candybox colors, frenetic energy, and plenty of fart jokes conspire to lure readers from the screen for an evening. Ages 8â12.