Pick of the Week

September 4, 2008 – The Roberts #1

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148
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Avg Rating: 4.4
iFanboy Community Pick of the Week Percentage: 3.5%
 
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Size: pages
Price: 5.99

Standard superhero comic books are great, but for the majority of the releases out there, they follow a fairly predictable track. One of the great things about independent comics is that in addition to to straying away from the typical superhero comic book formula, they can deliver some really unique types of stories. You don’t usually see the risky, high concept comics from the Big Two. Sure there are some exceptions to this, like Doctor Thirteen from DC Comics or Marvel Zombies from Marvel. But even those are steeped in the pre-existing universes of superheroes. With the indies, you get comics that really are just out there and add to it that there is an emerging genre of sorts focused around historical figures, and we get fun comics like Helen Killer or The Five Fists of Science, or even Josh’s excellent Book of the Month selection, A Treasury of XXth Century Murder: The Lindbergh Child. But the problem is, with the glut of traditional normal comic books out every week, a smaller, independently published comic book often gets overlooked. But not this week. This week, the stars aligned and they presented to me, The Roberts #1 from Image Comics.

It’s no surprise to anyone that I’m a fan of the high concept comic book. High concept is defined as: “A unique premise, easily understood in one sentence” and while that is an accurate definition, my personal definition for “high concept” is more along the lines of something that is a little bit wacky, a little bit self indulgent, and a whole lot of awesome. So when I first heard about The Roberts on an episode of Around Comics and heard what their high concept was, I knew I had to keep an eye on this book.

So just what is the high concept? I hope you’re sitting down…

The Boston Strangler and The Zodiac Killer are living in the same retirement home.

Now it may not be for everyone, I recognize that, but come on — you can’t tell me you’re not a little bit curious about The Roberts now.

Writers Wayne Chinsang and Justin Shady has taken the realistic serial killers, The Boston Strangler and The Zodiac Killer (who struck in the San Francisco Bay Area) and laid out a scenario where neither were caught or killed and have languished in existence in America until their senior years and for some reason, come together in the same retirement home. This first issue focuses mainly on The Boston Strangler, real name (in this story at least) Robert Kenneth Sprunger, as we are given a glimpse into his world of the Shady Lane Retirement Center. We are introduced to his world via his narration and given his backstory as The Boston Strangler, with a recap of the number of murders (both attributed and unattributed to him). We see a painfully realistic take on what a hell a retirement home must be, especially for a serial killer. And then his world is turned upside down a bit as a new person comes to the home, a Robert Steib. These two Roberts strike an uneasy friendship and the issue ends on a dramatic cliffhanger as Steib reveals himself to be The Zodiac killer and admits he came to Shady Lane seeking The Boston Strangler.

Now I love the topic of serial killers. The film Zodiac, focusing on the Zodiac killer was one of my best films of 2007. This concept of utilizing serial killers could have been done in a hokey manner or overly jokey, or any numerous ways, but Chinsang and Shady have taken a painfully realistic approach. You are presented with this deplorable murderer, and yet you find yourself sympathizing with his situation of waiting to die in an old folks home. We are given brief glimmers of The Boston Strangler’s mental problems as he dreams of murder and of his victims, which reminds you that this sympathetic character is indeed quite disturbed. The normal person manner of The Zodiac Killer and his admitting to The Boston Strangler of the life of a facade to others, pretending to be normal, when you just want to kill someone is chilling.

The art of Erik Rose is one that I could see some people having a problem with. The book is black and white and Rose’s art style is realistic, at times seeming to reveal his use of photo referencing and Photoshop, but I don’t believe the art is poor. The use of the black, white and grey color palette helps to set the mood as pathetic and desperate in addition to the subtleties of facial expressions and cursory glances. The book is basically normal people walking around and having conversations but Rose is able to take that and make it not only interesting, but distinctive, with no confusion as to who is who at any time. His storytelling and layouts is solid, setting the pace that had me on the edge of my seat during the entire book.

The Roberts #1 is my second experience with what looks like a new format from Image Comics. 48 pages with a cover price of $5.99. Unlike Guerillas #1 from last week, also from Image Comics, which is going to be a 9 issue series, The Roberts is only going to be two issues. It’s obvious that this will be collected into a nice, but small trade or prestige edition, but this single issue format with more pages and a more expensive price tag could turn off readers, but I kind of like it. It straddles the line between a trade and the 22 page monthly format we’re used to. No matter how much of a critic you may be, 48 pages is a meaty dose of comics. Any comic with a square bound spine (where there’s actually enough height to print words on the spine) is ok by me, so you won’t hear me complaining. But I can see why someone may wait for the trade on this one.

Had The Roberts #1 been released last week, I probably would have missed it, either not even buying it all or if I did buy it, have it be eclipsed by some event book or heaven forbid, an X-Book. But thanks to the luck of the schedule, it came out on a week where it was able to be a shining moment in my comic reading this week. Definitely high concept, definitely amusing to describe to someone, The Roberts #1 represents some of the best aspects of the potential of comic books as a story telling medium: a clever idea, excellent writing, and solid art. No other comic book this week grabbed me as hard as this one did and engaged me on the creative and intellectual levels that The Roberts dared to challenge me on. That’s no small feat.

Ron Richards
Still freaked out by Zodiac.
ron@ifanboy.com

Comments

  1. I almost bought this, but $5.99 made put it back on the shelf.  Definitely will get the trade.

  2. Zero percent chance of my shop ever carrying anything like this.  Looks interesting though.

    Green Lantern #34 was my POTW.  Amazingly good (in my opinion).  If Warner Bros. is looking for the next superhero movie to make, all they need to do is create a screenplay of the Secret Origins arc.  It is ready to go and if they follow the arc they will be left with multiple sequel setups.

  3. Fables #75 was my pick.  I was expecting something different from it…more of a gut punch when it came to certain things, which I will refrain from spoiling.  But still exciting and totally changed the landscape of Fables.  I can’t wait to see what happens next.  Green Lantern #34 was a close second, only because I have been waiting for months for Fables #75 to finally ship.

  4. Saw this. Looked interesting. Very limited budget this week. Maybe I’ll pick it up next week if you convince me to do so in the podcast.

  5. I was very afraid Marvel Apes would be the pick.  Thanks for not making that pick, Ron.

  6. Ah, at $5.99 I think I’ll wait for the trade too.  Looks great!

  7. I almost bought it but the price and internal art make me hold off.  When I saw that this was the pick of the week, I thought that maybe it was Josh’s turn.  Since it was Ron’s pick and this isn’t his usual cup of tea, I’ll probably pick it up this weekend if my shop still has a copy.

  8. Got my shops last copy.  was very excited to read this now I can’t wait.

  9. Sounds definitely different, but $5.99 drives me right toward the trade.

  10. That’s two weeks in a row for Image! I wish I had something witty to say right about now, but I don’t. They are certainly taking some risks and doing it right (at least creatively… we’ll see how sales work out. Cross your fingers)

    Hooray Image?! 

  11. @BatStewie – Last week was DAREDEVIL.

  12. Ah this is becoming a problem, a very big problem……No not the pick, the fact that my LCS hasnt had the indie titles you guys are picking.

    I want to try Fear Agent, but my LCS doesnt carry it, nor the trades. As for this, well Josh sold me on the concept with the mini but this review makes me want to pick it up more…But hey, my LCS didnt have one issue in stock cause he didnt order it nor would Diamond (apparently) would give it to him. Hell he didnt even get The Stand or Dark Tower titles cause of the same problems with Diamond. I dont wanna leave the shop cause it’s the closest one in my area, I dont wanna drive at least another 1/2 hour just to get comics….What’s a guy to do?

    Great review as always man, but I’m definitely seeing the upside of getting rid of some companies ruling the shipping of publishers. So it looks like it’s trade wait for me at Amazon….again… (P.S.- Thank you for not picking Marvel Apes or X-Men this week, god I was really worried you were gonna pick the apes, but I know you like reading good comics more then bad lol)

  13. I was all psyched for this only to arrive at my shop to find they didnt have it.

  14. I had a tough time making my potw but I went with Invincible Iron Man.

  15. I may scope this next week.  The price tag made me hesitant to pick it up, but money willing, this will be mine on my next trip.

  16. My shop usually picks up stuff like this so I either missed it or they didn’t have it.  Either way, I will get my grubby hands on it.

  17. Sounds graphically gory.

  18. this idea does interest me but I decided to wait for the the trade on it, only so much I can get in a week, AND, my shop didn’t have this :(.  

  19. Gah, that’s 4 people (including me) who’s LCS didnt have the issue, and 7 people who were iffy on the price of the issue and are waiting for the trade. It’s maddening, how can we enjoy the POTW if it’s not here or we cant afford it! Where is my Jetson’s future when I need it!?

    Is it the publisher’s fault for not shipping this out and for the price tag? Or are we just too scared of it cause it’s 6 dollars? I need a better job. -_-;

  20. Oh, six bucks isn’t even a Subway sandwich. Live a little, my babies! The economy needs stimulatin’!

  21. If you folks have stores that don’t carry this stuff talk to those stores, and let them know that you’ll but it, things might change.  If they lose you as a customer, then maybe they’ll learn to carry a little more selection.  Talk to the shops, or go somewhere else. 

  22. I’m going to get it today.  I can spend $6 easier knowing that it’s good.

  23. If your store won’t carry stuff you want to buy, it is time to find a new store.

  24. @ThomasKaters – Ah, but there is no new store within a 120 mile radius.  I’ve considered online many times, but there’s just something fun about browsing in person.

    A lot of times I don’t know I’m going to buy something until I have it in my hands, so I only request stuff that’s a sure buy.  I figure if it’s good enough, it will make it to trade and I’ll catch it there.

  25. I’m guessing this is why the TPB’s or hardcovers are the wave of the future. Still it’s not completely my LCS’s fault. I’ll say it again, Diamond wont give him some of the books he order. This POTW, plus The Stand, plus The Dark Tower: Treachery weren’t shipped to the store even when he ordered copies. I cant imagine why, cause if he ordered the issues it should’ve came. But like Horatio the next good LCS is like a good 30 miles away….so that kinda takes the L out of LCS. lol

  26. @josh and ThomasKaters – I have to agree with ultimatehoratio (seems like I do most of the time).  I would have to drive for approximately an hour to get to another shop, so I have an LCS with a monopoly and on top of that I have Diamond who is a monopoly.  I end up with Diamond screwing my LCS (minimum order sizes, preposterous return policies) and my LCS intentionally or unintentionally screwing me by not carrying some of the books I would buy.

    It would be nice if we all lived in NYC with a comic book shop every other block.  If that were the case the market would be allowed to work (ignoring Diamond), but for those of us facing regional monopolies, books like The Roberts #1 simply are not an option.  I may get the book, but it will be well after the discussion has ended and the thrill of a shared comicgasm has ended.  To quote Josh (aka Lockjawsh): "It kinda got weird there at the end."  (Tell me you didn’t just hear that in your heard in Josh’s voice.)

  27. Last weekend I was in Lexington, KY (population around 300k) and there are now only two LCS (down from about half-dozen a few years ago).  I was hunting for the JLA deluxe edition and both the shops were sold out and had no luck at two large chain bookstores.  I ended up having to order it on Amazon.  I did manage to get it for $19.95, though.

  28. agree with you ron as this is POTW

  29. @ Conor – I just meant two weeks in a row for pumping out interesting new stuff. 

  30. But it’s not two weeks in a row.  That’s what he meant.  But yes, there’s been a glut of nice, new, varied, indie content to choose from.

  31. It is 2 weeks in a row. Guerillas then The Roberts. I’m pretty sure that’s what BatStewie meant.

  32. I suppose that makes sense.  Basically, we’re saying the same thing.  I think we just thought he was talking about picks.  I’m a moron, by the way.  Full responsibility for that.

  33. Deadspace is right… that is what I meant. Sorry about all the confusion. I’ll be more careful and specific with my comments.

  34. My shop didn’t order any for the shelf, but are ordering it for me.  I’ll get it next week.  I’m looking forward very much to it.

  35. thanks for the spoiler alert

  36. It’s a good thing that I don’t review for iFanboy, ’cause this wasn’t even close to begin my POTW. I thought that the closing issue of Universal War One was better, as well as Noble Causes #36. But Fables #75 won out.

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