Retro Reviews (Introduction and Obnoxio the Clown #1)
By Tim Hartnett
EDITOR’S NOTE: This column inaugurates Retro Reviews in which Tim Hartnett provides reviews of comic books from years’ past. Retro Reviews will be a “Silver Soapbox” semi-regular feature, so please post a message on our “Silver Soapboxes“ forum and let us know what you think.
Retro Reviews: Introduction
I will take each work as an isolated comic book, not part of a greater whole of a character or concept, unless that association is crucial to the work. This is often difficult to do when reviewing current books as they come out. Since reviewing is not a science, my judgments of story and artwork will be more directed at how they complement each other, not necessarily as an individual story or art performance. I will also try and review each series through to its conclusion; starting at issue #1, I will review to wherever the series concluded. Each “#1” review will feature an introduction to the series as a whole, and my opinion of it.
Grading will be on the traditional Five Silver Bullet scale, with the following letter and four star equivalents.
A+ 4 Stars
A 3.5 Stars
A-/B+ 3 Stars
B 3 Stars
B-/C+ 2.5 Stars
C 2 Stars
C-/D 1.5 Stars
D 1 Star
D-/F 1 Star
Retro Reviews: Obnoxio the Clown #1
Artist: Alan Kupperberg (p, i, & c)
Letterer: Alan Kupperberg
Editor: Larry Hama
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter
President: James E. Galton
Cover Date: April 1983
Cover Price: 60¢
Cover Price Adjusted for Inflation (2004): $1.10
My Copy: A slightly worn copy of the original. As far as I know, this has never been reprinted.
Great Lines: "HIYA KIDS…WHAT'S YELLOW AND BLACK AND DON'T BREATHE NO MORE?..." ---Obnoxio's cover blurb, holding an unconscious (or dead) Kitty Pryde
Introduction to Obnoxio the Clown
Obnoxio was, as his name suggests, a witty (or lack thereof) clown who was featured in a Marvel fan magazine in the early eighties. I believe this one-shot was his only appearance in an actual comic book. The character was created by Larry Hama, who also edited this series, but Alan Kupperberg is the cartoonist, assuming writing, pencil, ink, colour and lettering chores. This comic was ideal for a character of its nature: a few stories, one involving the prominent X-Men, and four “fun pages,” similar to Mad Magazine, which exploits Obnoxio's character.
This issue exists as sort of a novelty among X-Men completists and some back issue collectors. The X-Men's appearance is rather brief, although some have mistaken the title as Obnoxio the Clown vs. The X-Men instead of the correct Obnoxio the Clown. Obnoxio himself is very similar to the Simpsons' Krusty the Clown, who did not surface until at least five years later. Perhaps there was some inspiration for Obnoxio? The design for the clown is a bit awkward, sporting a rather traditional face and a rumpled body suit. Although the choices in design are a bit strange, the caricature is generally effective in the end.
Story:
The first story in this book has Obnoxio arriving at the X-Mansion. Professor X reveals that he hired Obnoxio as a surprise for Kitty Pryde’s birthday. Apparently, he’s a favourite of hers. However, a villain, Eye-Scream, who can turn into any ice-cream flavour he desires, shows up, and the X-Men mistake Obnoxio as the villain! Obnoxio successfully convinces the X-Men otherwise but refuses to entertain Kitty, much to the dismay of the rest of the X-Men.
The funniest part of this opener is that it’s an early parody of the X-Men as they were rising megastars. While it is a parody of the excessive mutant concept (a villain who can turn into any ice-cream flavour?), it also fits in well with the characterizations of the X-Men at the time, even if they are appropriately over-the-top. The plot is simple and straightforward, so Mr. Kupperberg relies much on the actual puns of Obnoxio and the behaviour and interaction of the characters as the attraction. While the action scenes and flow are clever, the jokes are not all particularly funny, and come off making Obnoxio as more of a tragic figure than a comical one. Whether this is the case or not, we’ll probably never know, seeing as how the character never really made it off the ground. There's also the question of why Professor X wouldn't tell the rest of the X-Men he was giving Kitty a surprise party and why Kitty doesn’t recognize Obnoxio.
The tragic versus comical concept does come up in a rather dud of a joke: “Obnoxio the Clown's Abuse Page.”
The second primary feature is another nine-paged adventure, in which Obnoxio is called to serve the justice system, part of a government he doesn’t believe in. This is obviously ironic considering his financial and social situation. This story is a bit more successful in its execution than the first and runs smoother with a more satisfying ending.
There's a rather funny “Dear Flabby” page from one Abigail Van Kupperberg, which eventually involves the Marvel staffers making an appearance. It’s quite clever.
The final part of the magazine are the final two pages: “Obnoxio the Clown Fun Pages.” They do involve some mildly funny moments, especially the “Count the Killer Bees!” skit, but for the most part, this is an example of what could be made quite better.
Art:
Alan Kupperberg’s art uses the comic-book styles of the time, rather than a cartoonish style, but it does work in the end with Obnoxio’s ridiculous, if consistent caricature. The art concentrates more on telling the story, which is does fairly well, rather than being funny by itself. It is quite an effective method, considering the fact that much of the novelty is directed in the story. The cover is a lovely parody of the infamous Uncanny X-Men #136 cover.
Next Retro Review: John Byrne’s Superman/Batman: Generations
Got a comment or question about this Soapbox?
Leave at message at the Silver Soapboxes Message Board.