Cartoon Network Action Pack #1
Originally Presented at Comixtreme.com on May 8, 2006.
Quick Rating: Average
Title: Double Dutch Death Valley and other stories
New tales of Samurai Jack, the Powerpuff Girls and Megas XLR!
Writers: Robbie Busch, Abby Denson & George Krstic
Pencils: Mark Chiarello, Christopher Cook & Matthew I. Jenkins
Inks: Mark Chiarello, Mike DeCarlo & Jeff Albrecht
Colors: Mark Chiarello & Heroic Age
Letters: Nick J. Napolitano
Editor: Joan Hilty
Cover Art: Matthew Jenkins & Mike DeCarlo
Publisher: DC Comics/Johnny DC
Review: I should say up front that I’m not a regular viewer of any of the Cartoon Network shows that have made the grade in the new Action Pack title (a companion to the comedy series in Cartoon Network Block Party), but reading the stories in this issue doesn’t really instill in me an urge to go out and check out the shows either. None of them are terrible, they’re just not for me.
“Double Dutch Death Valley,” by Robbie Busch and Mark Chiarello, fronts this issue with Samurai Jack wandering into the desert, hoping to find a portal that will send him back to his own time. Instead, he wanders into a trap set by Aku and baited with innocent children. I don’t know if Samurai Jack is really suited to the short-short story required for an anthology book. I feel like this could have been a really good story if Busch had more pages to flesh it out. I’m also not sure about Chiarello’s art - like I said, I’m not a regular viewer of the show, but I don’t think the approach he tries here really fits the usual style, which is what you look for in these cartoon-based comics.
Denson and Cook are next up with “Anything Boys Can Do Squirrels Can Do Better,” an adventure of the Powerpuff Girls’ arch-rivals, the Rowdyruff Boys. The Boys, who evidently missed the memo informing them that, as the villains, they will always lose, challenge the girls to a football game. Things are looking up, however, until a really bizarre Deus Ex Machina swoops in and wins the game for them.
The Megas XLR story “Speed Limit,” by George Krstic and Jeff Albrecht, rounds out the issue. This is the property I’ve had the least exposure to before this issue, and ironically, I think it’s the best story. When the Megas gets snared by a mysterious computer component launched by an enemy, the need to get to it and shut it off before the whole robot self-destructs. It’s a simple action story with strong artwork.
Overall, I’m not wild about this book, but that’s no doubt due to the fact that these aren’t kids properties that appeal so much to me. A kid who watches these shows will no doubt enjoy it a lot more.
Rating: 5/10