TOHUBOHU - World
Gone Wild - Issues #1-6
"I realize that
this review may be late in coming, but it was only recently
brought to my attention. At first I thought, "Oh, great, another
comic that I've never heard of to read. And six issues no
less." There's nothing worse than having to review a poorly
done, badly written book that bores you to no end. What's
even worse is having to review a poorly done, badly written
book that bores you to no end with characters you know nothing
about. Fortunately, Tohu Bohu (meaning a state of infinite
chaos) is not one of those aforementioned books.
I was quite pleased
to find this book to be an entertaining read with art (a streamlined
Art Adams style) that was equally top notch. When you read
Tohu you can't help but to compare it to the Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles cartoon. The art is similar enough to TMNT;
the characters are "colorful" and there is plenty of humor
to go around, but in actuality this book is much closer to
the original TMNT comic book -- ripe with cursing, bloodshed
and violence.
The one thing
that Tohu has that TMNT didn't quite accomplish is a fleshed-out
story with many textures. Below the action story and mutant
animals hook, there is a message of tolerance and ecological
responsibility.
Etheria is a community
of humans who struggle to survive in a world where the New
Breeds (animals who have evolved to rule the world) are free
to enslave and sell them to the highest bidder. Led by Genisis
XVIII, the Etherians are striving to integrate humans and
New Breeds in hopes to build a brighter and better future.
Obviously, there's plenty
of opposition to this idea on both sides. The most vocal being
Venin, one of the Etherian protectors called the Shadow Hunters.
Venin hates "Freaks" and holds his tongue for nobody. Even
the New Breeds on his team.
When Genisis XIX, Genisis
XVIII's daughter and heir to the leadership of Etheria is
kidnapped during a peace summit with the leaders of the New
Breed Nations, the Shadow Hunters are sent into the heart
of the treacherous reptile pit, Bogg City, to find her. All
six issues are pretty much a chase scene that introduces the
reader to the world of Tohu Bohu and the players you know
will resurface in the future.
Though at times it seems
stretching this story out over six issues was twice as long
as necessary, it was never boring. I only have two real criticisms.
One, is the heavy use of curse words. Not that I'm some prude
who is offended by four-letter expletives, but does everyone
have to use them? I believe even in a world ruled by animals
some people still don't curse on a regular basis. And two,
sometimes the artist's storytelling is unclear. Not so much
that you can't follow the story, but enough to make you have
to connect the dots yourself. Over all Tohu Bohu is a satisfying
book that will keep you coming back. With a little tweaking
and a lot less cursing, I can't imagine this book not being
turned into a Saturday morning cartoon. Maybe an HBO series
if they want to keep the language." |