Space Age Technology In The Wrong Hands: Bebop & Rocksteady Hit The Road #4

The EPF is hot on the trail of Bebop & Rocksteady, but the only problem is that this dumb duo is not just driving across the country anymore. They’ve stolen a vehicle from the Time Masters and they’re teleporting all over the world. I’m sure that’s not going to lead to more acts of violence.

The very idea that Bebop & Rocksteady have this technology at their disposal is simultaneously hilarious and terrifying. They’re basically just smashing buttons in this thing like a child playing Street Fighter II and bouncing around to various locales. To sum this up, as they get closer to their destination of New York City, they get stuck in traffic. Think about this for a second. They’re in a machine that can teleport through space and it can fly. They’re so stupid that they get stuck in traffic. It’s perfect.
Dustin Weaver’s artwork flips back and forth between the hyper-detailed and cartoony, which fits well with the overall story and these two characters. It reminds me of the recently ended Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show where they’d cut to another clip that was in a different style, usually for a gag. This happens in the comic when Bebop & Rocksteady get excited about something. It’s like they turn into children.

This is reinforced with Brittany Peer’s colors. There’s a scene where they figure out how to work the radio, pumping in otherworldly jams. The page fills with bright colors as the music starts to blast. There’s a look of sheer joy on their faces as they do a ridiculous dance.
Ravenwood, the EPF Agent in charge of the hunt for Bebop & Rocksteady is getting closer, but not without further aggravation. She has such a sunny disposition for the most part, but these two bring out the worst in her. She flies into a rage and her superiors are not helping. You can feel her blood start to boil with the taunts from her targets. Letterer Shawn Lee brings out a bolder font with her as she loses her temper.

Ravenwood is not a mutant, but she’s not exactly human either. She’s something in between. As a result, she’s discriminated against and she has something to prove. While I like this idea for her character, her design has never really sat well with me. She just looks odd, which is saying something considering the stars of this comic are a mutant rhino and warthog. Ravenwood is big and bulky with a commanding presence and a small head. She’s like a child’s interpretation of a super hero.

Bebop & Rocksteady Hit the Road has been a wild ride so far. This penultimate issue sees the two mutants finally make it back to New York after a long and treacherous journey, but it’s brought them face-to-face with the EPF and Agent Ravenwood. How can these two idiots possibly make it out alive? Well, they seem to fail upwards so they’ll probably make it out OK.
Bebop & Rocksteady Hit the Road #4 from IDW Publishing is currently available at your local comic shop and digitally through ComiXology and Amazon Kindle.