The Schlub #1 Advance Review
The Schlub #1 advance review
Written by: Ryan Stegman & Kenny Porter
Art by: Tyrell Cannon
Colors by: Mike Spicer
Letters by: John J. Hill
Published by: Image Comics
Superheroes are a staple in comic books. One thing that has changed from Marvel/DC era is indie publishers and creators who have taken the genre and superheroes we grew up with and crafted their own universes and unique perspectives on what a superhero-filled world can look like. Ryan Stegman and Kenny Porter have penned such a story in The Schlub.
One that takes the superhero genre and infused it with comedy and a protagonist that will make you cringe, laugh, and question their actions in a way I have not experienced since the Michael Scott days of The Office.
That being said, the ridiculousness of the debut issue doesn’t overshadow the narrative and world being built by Stegman and Porter. It should come as no surprise as these two creators are not only veterans in the industry but also have consistently delivered titles that are absolute bangers.
Now, Roger Dalton is not a very likable dude. Not only is he a dentist which is an automatic unlikable trait but he’s also a screw-up. We all make mistakes of course but Roger seems to attract situations that put him in bad spots designed to appeal to his bad judgment. Hence the Freaky Friday cosmic body swap occurs with the renowned superhero and protector of the city which lands Roger with unimaginable power but still the same ‘ol Roger underneath.
In what turns into a superhero version of a Rocky movie, Cirrus, the renowned hero now in Roger’s body must coach Roger to keep him alive and their secret safe until they find answers and a way to switch back. It made for a really fun debut issue with some razzle-dazzle from the characters that all have loud and unique personalities. It’s always a great feeling when you get so invested in a comic you don’t realize you just burnt through over 20 pages.
Tyrell Cannon and Mike Spicer make a great duo with illustrations and colors that give The Schlub a comic strip feel similar to older superhero comics but still manage to deliver flair and devastation with some modern action-packed panels and pages showing that it will not all be fun and games and things could turn for the worse at any moment for Roger and Cirrus.
The lettering by John J. Hill also deserves admiration as it’s applied to complement the style of the illustrations while still making it able to be consumed with ease which is something truly appreciated as a reader when going through an issue with plenty of dialogue.
The Schlub is both funny, and powerful, and teases wickedness that could appear at a moment’s notice as the series gives us a breath of fresh air into the superhero genre while playing with elements similar to Freaky Friday and characters like Shazam who find themselves with power beyond their initial comprehension. Will Cirrus be able to hone Roger’s potential or will we see Roger’s human nature strike once again, this time with catastrophic consequences? One thing is for certain. The Schlub is a genuinely fun experience of superhero action and comedy.
A variety geek who enjoys geeking out with friends over video games, comics, or movies/TV shows. An avid wrestling fan since the days of the Attitude Era and N64’s No Mercy, he now spends much of his time reading and collecting comics. All of my puns are intended.
