PRE-SAN DIEGO BLOG EXTRA: WEDNESDAY

Since there won’t be regular site updates while I’m gone at Comic-Con International (there will, however, be updates here), I’m taking this week to do a little bit of advance catch-up on the large pile of books awaiting my attention.

STEPHEN COLBERT’S TEK JANSEN #1
Written by John Layman, Tom Peyer, and Jim Massey
Drawn by Scott Chantler and Robbi Rodriguez
Published by Oni Press


America’s funniest humorist sees one of his long-running gags brought to four-color life in TEK JANSEN. Colbert has been cracking wise about his absurd sounding “science fiction” novel for quite a while now, so it isn’t too surprising to see that a comic publisher was smart enough to start negotiations to snap up the property. What does surprise is how well this does… and doesn’t… work on the page.

The main story, by Layman and Peyer, finds Colbert’s officious character completing a mission and returning home to find himself in the middle of intrigue. An alien race has arrived, offering use of their great technology in exchange for their donation of energy to a planet in need of assistance. But playing slyly off of Colbert’s ion-air persona, Jansen distrusts any race that practices anything resembling liberal politics. So when ordered to not interfere with the proceedings… of course he interferes, setting in motion the pieces for galactic war.

Much to my surprise, the story itself really comes out kind of flat. Layman and Peyer lace the tale with great ideas and concepts; for instance, Jansen’s captured enemy that he insists on keeping in a nearby cage in the hopes he’ll eventually grow to love him is an absolute hoot. And Scott Chantler’s art (a long way from NORTHWEST PASSAGE) delivers a Jansen who looks exactly like Colbert’s stick-in-the-rear persona. But ultimately (and mind you, I call John Layman friend and drinking companion) I was disappointed that the whole thing wasn’t crazier- the plot concept feels a bit stock at the moment. Perhaps it will pick up a bit as the series progresses.

On the other hand, Massey and Rodriguez’ (MAINTENANCE) back-up story is a home run of humor. Tek gets sent undercover, saves a waitress whom he expects to be far more grateful than she actually is, then causes horrific destruction on a whim. “Horn Like Me” captures Colbert’s voice perfectly, and I snickered all the way through this one.

While unquestionably imperfect, I have faith in the creative crew to pick up the pace, so they get another issue to convince me that TEK JANSEN will live up to its inspiration.

/Mason