Wonder Twins #3 Continues To Put The ‘Fun’ Back Into ‘Funny Books’

While Jayna makes new friends at school as well as ponder their seeming success in capturing the misunderstood Count Drunkula from last issues hi-jinx, Lex Luthor continues to recruit for the League of Annoyance when one of his more morally conscious scientists is made an offer he cannot refuse. With the latter immediately regretting his decision when he has to sit through another rather turgid meeting chaired by the bureaucratic-loving Praying Mantis. It must be a tough gig being a villain who’s curtailed from world domination by a lack of money in the pot. Seems the A-listers in the Legion of Doom must have spent it all on that fancy lair of theirs, leaving these unlucky folks working out of a toy shop. No wonder they’re annoyed. And, soon to be even more annoyed as they hatch a hair brain scheme to kidnap the Wonder Twins. You can imagine how that one plays out.

Once again the script by Mark Russell, is fun, zippy, and insightful, with a definite vibe of the old Batman 66 TV show about it all. I mean, juts take a look at some of these bad guys’ names. The villains are vaudevillian and their traps are as hokey as you’d expect from a bunch of no-marks like this lot. And, like all great cartoons, there’s something for littleness and a sly nod to older readers too. I mean, Aunt Phetamine with her manic, energetic grin, anyone? Great inclusion and one that will go over most young readers’ heads. You’d hope.
Stephen Byrne’s animation-like style of artwork continues to work extremely well on this title and lends itself well to the YA readers who, I do hope, are picking up this title along with us older fans who lap up great stories and great art. Its definitely a comic book I look forward to each month and have been blown away be the sheer quality of all the Wonder Comics titles to date. Unlike recent DC launches (RIP New Age of Heroes) these books have legs. While the are using already existing characters. – unlike many of the New Age of Heroes titles – these aren’t major household names. The Wonder Twins origins as cartoon companions to the Super-Friends have been around, and in various iterations, for a while now, but I don’t think I’ve even seen a version that is so close to it’s original cartoon form in tone and style. The funky lettering by Dave Sharpe only adds to this warm, fuzzy feeling.

It’s certainly a book that’s putting the ‘fun’ back into ‘funny books’ and more evidence – should it be needed – that Mark Russell’s dry humour and reverence for the genre (albeit a reverence he’s happy poking a stick at, I’m glad to say) are a great addition to the industry. An industry that is more diverse now that at any other tome in its history. There really is something out there for all tastes, but I dare you to find anyone who won’t like this book. Another cracking issue!