Written by: Mark Waid
Art by: Peter Krause
Publisher: IDW
Mark Waid and Peter Krause have made Insufferable one of the most entertaining comic series in quite some time. Each issue has combined unique stories with great action, timely comments, and a lot of innate weirdness. Sure, Galahad and Nocturnus make a terrible superhero team, but reading about their exploits is surprisingly fun. Something about that family strife just draws you in to the story and makes you keep reading.
With only two more issues left in the first arc, Insufferable had a lot of questions to answer. So how was this penultimate issue?
Unlike previous issues, Insufferable #7 covers only one main story—the history of a mysterious man named Joachim Reinwutt. This slightly villainous CEO of Galahad Inc. has more than a normal connection to Nocturnus’ investigation, but no one really knows what that connection is. All Nocturnus knows is that Galahad’s publicist has a secret file detailing Joachim’s secret life. On the outside, Joachim just appears to be a terrible CEO with slicked back hair and a terrible personality. Oh, and Joachim is definitely a jerk because he likes to sexually harass employees, but that doesn’t really qualify as “super villainy”. Sexual harassment just makes him a terrible person.
Of course, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that anyone involved in this story is horrible.
Insufferable #7 is actually one of the hardest issues to review simply because it is so story-driven. Previous issues had important plot points but were mostly filled with action moments and references to Twitter. This issue works on partially wrapping up plot points, so almost every panel includes a major detail. It does need to be mentioned, however, that Insufferable #7 still manages to include a joke about social media during one of the most serious moments. This reference comes out of the blue and actually makes you stop and chuckle, despite the intensity of the moment.
Insufferable #7 is a different style of issue than the previous stories, but that doesn’t hurt the property. Nocturnus’ story is still interesting even if he is less involved than normal. Honestly, it was actually a nice change to have other characters and their motivations featured more prominently as this first arc wraps up. Characters like Ominax and Lt. Rainwood had been popping up in previous issues, but they hadn’t played a very large role. The same could be said for Galahad’s main publicist. All of these side characters just seemed to be hanging around for no reason, but their appearances in Insufferable now make sense thanks to an engaging seventh issue.
Insufferable is an enjoyable series that somehow toes the line between seriousness and superhero camp. Obviously the goofiness is seriously downplayed, but it does exist if you really look. Just don’t expect any “BIFF” or “POW”.
Sadly, there is only one more issue left in the first arc, but it should be an exciting end to a fantastic series. We will find out next month.
