Written by: Cullen Bunn
Art by: Reilly Brown
Publisher: DC Comics
I love Sexy Lobo. Regular Lobo, he’s okay and all, but there is something special about the new and improved Lobo. Like Pepsi, he is the choice of a new generation, and reflects an entirely different problem with comics than his predecessor. He isn’t going to win over many old fans, something that is abundantly clear if you talk to them, but for those with an open mind and searching for an alternative to Deadpool, Lobo might just be for you.
Our book opens with Sexy Lobo killing the old Lobo, directly acknowledging the arguments between fans of the old and new Lobo. After the old is quickly disposed of, Sexy Lobo looks back to his life on Czarnia, before everybody died horribly. In a time of peace and love, Lobo was once happy, but it comes crashing to a halt when he awakens from his dream. Sent off an a mission to kill a gaggle of assassins, Lobo discovers what they were sent off after, and rides into the sunset to defend the Earth itself from certain destruction!
The opening of this book is going to determine everything for you. Much like last year’s Lobo one-shot from Villain’s Month, it is clear that the writer is unapologetic, ready to ruffle feathers and cause chaos. Cullen Bunn worked wonders on Fearless Defenders, Sinestro, and Magneto, and it’s great to see him once again in proper form here. His opening is funny and indicative of the kind of book this is going to be. Beyond that, Bunn goes out of his way to do everything that old Lobo fans feared would happen, with scenes of him shirtless and romancing others. Bunn is having a lot of fun here, upsetting legions of old fans in the best way possible.
Meanwhile, Reilly Brown is no slouch on art. Coming off of his work on Deadpool: The Guantlet, Brown makes Lobo fun and exciting. He perfectly captures the fun and energy of the new Lobo, with enough grit to handle the gore. While it is still very much in the classic DC House Style thanks to the inking and coloring, it is very distinguishable and memorable. Brown perfectly executes Bunn’s scripts, making a lot of great sight-gags. I don’t know if it is due to his work, or inker Nelson Decastro, but the flashback sequence really stands out, looking graceful and optimistic. It’s the exact opposite of what you expect from Lobo, and it really makes it work.
Overall, Lobo is a fun new series from a creative team that is well-aware of what it’s doing. By poking fun at itself and the history of Lobo, Bunn and Brown reimagine the character for a new age. This comic won’t do much to change the minds of old fans who hate the new interpretation, but as a parody of the modern slim and sexy hero, Lobo is a ton of fun. Pick this up and thank yourself for doing so.
