SuperSearnold - Comic Book Reviews

Greetings from your friendly neighborhood Searnold [Shár- Nŭhld].  Welcome to my comic book review blog - thanks for tuning in.  Today is Monday, September 8th, 2008 - and today we’re looking at the internet comic book: Captain Hammer: Be Like Me!  Nemesis of Dr. Horrible!
[We’re also trying out a new format - let me know what you think.  I love getting comments, suggestions, and requests from you guys!]

Today’s Issue:
Was written by Zack Whedon (co-writer of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog) and drawn by cartoon artist alum of shows such as Justice League Unlimited and Legion of Superheroes, Eric Canete.  It was published online by Dark Horse Comics as part of their MySpace Dark Horse Presents series and can be found for FREE here:  http://myspace.com/darkhorsepresents?issuenum=12&storynum=2
The book is based upon the universe created by Joss Whedon’s special internet phenomenon Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, which can ALSO be found for FREE here:
http://www.drhorrible.com/

Premise:
Get a look inside the head of the hero Captain Hammer.  This 8 page issue is told in the form of a public service announcement for all of us to be on the lookout for evildoers.  Being an extension of Dr. Horrible, it is appropriately a comedy that has larger implications on a thematic level.

The Good:
Hard-hitting-hilarity.  The comic book is as silly as the character.  It’s also fun to get inside Captain Hammer’s twisted head and see the world through his perspective.  Also, have I mentioned yet that it is FREE and available HERE:
http://myspace.com/darkhorsepresents?issuenum=12&storynum=2

The Bad:
Well, Captain Hammer looks nothing like Nathan Fillion.  And Dr. Horrible (yes - he has a cameo) looks nothing like Neil Patrick Harris.  It is SHORT, so you don’t get a lot of entertainment (that, of course, is offset by the fact that it is FREE!)  There also isn’t any sort of narrative - it’s just a fun fun silly willy ditty.  I did have a minor issue with the site itself - when you click on the “next page” link, which is at the bottom of each page, it takes you to the BOTTOM of the next issue.  A minor problem to be sure - but one that ought to be fixed if internet comic books are going to become a viable profit generating entertainment medium.

& The Noteworthy:
I think I may have gone over this part already, but it’s worth mentioning that this is an online comic book which is FREE and avaialable HERE:
http://myspace.com/darkhorsepresents?issuenum=12&storynum=2 
I’m not getting any sort of compensation to promote this - I’m just extremely excited about the concept of free entertainment on the internet - ESPECIALLY in the form of comic books.

My Recommendation:
Absolutely.  You’ll like this comic book if you enjoy a silly mockery of the super hero genre.  Then, if you haven’t - or even if you have (see it again) - go check out Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.  Not only is it free and going to change the way the world works by proving that the internet is in fact a viable money making medium (boy, today’s blog is littered with alliteration) - it’s also incredibly funny, well written, well acted, and full of great emotional moments.   Once again, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog can be found for FREE HERE:
http://www.drhorrible.com/

That’s it for Captain Hammer: Be Like Me!  Nemesis of Dr. Horrible!  As always, thanks for tuning in - see you next time.
-Searnold