That Sweet Sweet Buildup: Reviewing ‘I Hate Fairyland’ #17

In every story about two warring factions or teams, there is the moment focused on the gathering of said forces. Where exposition rules and new characters are introduced all in service of preparing to throw the toys against one another aggressively at some point.

In many ways I Hate Fairyland #17 is one of those issues, but it’s also not that. Because … well, it’s the wacky, bloody, out there series that it always has been. Once more, Skottie Young, Brett Bean, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, and Nate Piekos set the stage for the bloody action to come.

Framing the issue’s intro with another of Gertrude’s legion of casualties, and then tying that into the gathering army of Happy was a good call. It pairs well with the version of Gert we see now, trying to walk a straighter path as she’s high on this ‘being a hero’ thing. Her past sins and her present day aspirations are butting heads, which is very much the Gert way of doing things.

Issues that are focused on setting up the pieces can often be boring in comics, or listless, if they lean too hard toward the ‘building’ part. Young has no fear of that really happening because he knows this world through and through, always finding the best ways to mine the humor and depravity out of any moment, even the most simple or familiar. This provides a good dose of the flavors that tend to make this book work and what makes it so great.

There is plenty on the visual side to excite the senses, as Bean keeps delivering that whimsical animated but horrific feeling with each issue. A key part of that is nailing the expressions and emotional energy, giving all the rest even more weight. Through those elements we’re sold on the characters but also the jokes and darker behaviors have all the weight they need.

Bright, shiny, vibrant fun wrapped up in the darkest (literally and figuratively) tones never fails here. By this point, Beaulieu could probably accurately color this book even in the middle of sleep (not advised, of course). It’s just so smooth and perfect for the vibe, making sure Fairyland always feels welcome yet with an undercurrent of danger at every turn.

Similarly, the lettering work that Piekos drops smoothly onto the page accomplishes much of the same. Gert’s voice is etched inside of my head by now, despite there being no live-action adaptation or live-world counterpart. All the colors and SFX and the like are welcome, bringing the best flavor to an issue, but the regular lettering power is where it’s often at. Seeing how the characters feel or approach things art wise is boosted by the addition of just feeling the anger, weariness, sadness, happiness, glee, or other tonal frequencies.

Overall, this issue is a quick smooth read, albeit a fun and fitting one. It captures all the usual energy from everyone involved in the process and keeps the successful train chugging along. If this arc really is an Endgame as the title possibly indicates, the buildup is just as good as the eventual conflict and conclusion.

I Hate Fairyland #17 is now available from Image Comics.