cover image Buzzboy Trouble in Paradise

Buzzboy Trouble in Paradise

John Gallagher. Sky Dog Press, $11.95 (144pp) ISBN 978-0-9721831-0-9

Buzzboy has all the clean cut elements--dialogue, design, costumes--of a classic sixties comic. The story follows the misadventures of a costumed hero, Buzzboy, former sidekick to this world's greatest hero, Ultra a.k.a. Captain Ultra. Ultra has turned rogue and is terrorizing all of Paradise City. Most of the other heroes and sidekicks of Paradise City have disappeared, with many presumed dead. Buzzboy was one such hero, and has been thought lost forever, but he's resurfaced just in time to help combat Ultra's evil and save the world.Buzzboy's return sparks the emergence of the rest of the super powered element in Paradise City, and now all of the superheroes have banded together with one common goal: restoring order and peace. With a cartoony style very reminiscent of classic Archie Comics, Gallagher introduces his cast and world. Within a few pages, the gist of the story is revealed, drawing readers into Buzzboy and the duty he must fulfill.Gallagher's gray tones add lots of flavor and flair to the artwork and give each page more depth and dimension, and in fact, seem appropriate for the book's retro feel. Buzzboy is also a ""Where's Waldo"" of sorts with cartoon, comics, TV, movie, and other characters drawn into the crowd and background scenes. From page to page the reader never knows whose name will be dropped or who or what may appear next. It's that unpredictability and fun that makes Buzzboy something accessible to everyone.