My Bad Ideas about Bad Idea Comics

Hey all, Katie here and once again I am talking about Bad Idea(s). How many bad idea puns can I make? Just wait and see (do you think puns are a bad idea?). Anywho, I am here with another Bad Idea comic review. Today I am talking about Escape from Wyoming and Orc Island the two newest Bad Idea comics.

I was really looking forward to Escape from Wyoming, the teasers were delightful. It has this whole Judge Dredd thing going for it. Law man set up and sent to prison... love it. The comic basically tells you up front that he's not dirty. "You should have taken the money," he is told as he is taken away. It's in the teasers for Christ sake, and I admit I wondered where it was going to go from there. You have this law man who ends up stranded in this subterranean prison on this backwater planet (yup that's us, earth).

Loved the art. The colors are very in your face and brighter than I usually like, but this is an alien tale we are talking about here. It's out of this world so the colors fit. I like how the main character is definitely not human, but he has that sheriff vibe when you see him in uniform at the end. He is out of this world, but relatable to this world, if that makes sense.

Spoilers coming. If you haven't read this comic than it's a bad idea to continue (heh)...

So, the prison guard was in on it eh? Did you see that coming, because I totally did not. My only issue here is that they have given away an awful lot in the first issue. That's great don't get me wrong, I am fully engaged at this point and dying for the next comic but sometimes less is more. I hope they haven't blown their load on this first one and the rest will be just as good (if not better!) Where do we go from here? The law man is going to chase these aliens and stop them from escaping (so that earth doesn't go boom) and then what... I guess we will have to wait and see. Will it turn into a slogging chase that loses its momentum? Or will it be a roller coaster ride that leaves us breathless? I am excited to see where the story will take us next. All and all I enjoyed the read and intend to enjoy the ride.

Now, on to Orc Island. I kind of expected it to be lighter. Silly maybe? So far, not so much. (Not that I am complaining, assuming things with these comics is- you guessed it- a bad idea). The story starts out in a slum that is getting cleaned out so floating orc castles can land. The main character is a down on his luck character who is looking to change his stars. Doesn't everyone want to pull themselves out of the muck?

I like the art, but sometimes it gets a little muddled. Sometimes there is so much going on that I have a hard time figuring out exactly what is going on in the panel. I like the scale, you're looking at this whole sea of humanity but if I can't figure out what is happening that is problematic. The colors are good, bright and interesting and fitting for the creatures inhabiting this comic. Also, that cover!!! Freaking fantastic, loving it.

Spoilers ahead matey!!

So, I really enjoyed this comic. Not only is it darker and more serious than expected it is deeper too. Here is this adventure/ pirate tale and we are getting all these teasing mentions about historic battles and orc skulls on magic shrouded islands. The plan? To get orc skulls and make money! I bet it is not going to be as simple as all that. The questions are already adding up. What's this war that happened with the Orcs? Are there still Orcs on Orc Island? And that's just a few of the head scratchers that this one issue provokes. The next issue is (presumably) going to show the reader and the hapless characters what orc island is all about. I cannot wait.

I was hoping for some great Bad Idea comics and I was not disappointed, I cannot wait for the weeks to come.

P.S. I liked both the shorts. Ark Story was hilarious and I enjoyed the different take on the story of Noah. Powder Day was great too, but daaaark! Still I appreciate the bonus.