Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Gregg Hinkle
Colourist: Gregg Hinkle
Release date: Out Now
Price: $2.99

 

Airboy #3 finds Airboy, James Robinson and Gregg Hinkle in the Golden Age hero’s World War II universe. Since the last issue, Airboy plans to teach the degenerate writer and artist duo some lessons about the meaning of life. But Robinson and Hinkle aren’t immediately ready to receive wisdom and vacillate between scared and excited, displaying the worst physical characteristics of both states.

In contrast, Airboy is in his element and gone is the stuttering fool of the previous issue replaced by the leader of the Air Fighters. The Air Fighters include the bitter female Black Angel, the armour-suited Iron Ace, and scrappers Flying Dutchman and Skywolf, who wears a wolf’s head hat. They all rightfully heap derision on the pair plucked from our world. “Jeez, Dave, where the Hell did you find these two Charlies?” says Skywolf.

However, it is Airboy’s relationship with loose cannon Valkyrie taking front and centre stage in Airboy #3. Valkyrie calls Airboy a “horse’s ass” and slaps his face. “Little things become big things with her and me,” Airboy later tells Robinson. “…Things between the sexes are just as f***ed up as they are in my reality,” Robinson replies.

Airboy plays the role of priest confessor and psychologist as Robinson begins to bear his soul. Seeing the tempestuous relationship Robinson resolves to make things right with his wife. Robinson also takes to heart Airboy’s optimism and his belief that everybody deserves to be happy. But invariably Robinson and Hinkle behave like a cancer and destroy everything they touch. After Hinkle, now Robinson’s true apprentice of debauchery, betrays Airboy’s trust most egregiously Airboy decides he has mission for them.

Gregg Hinkle continues to stylishly illustrate the inspired lunacy. The contrast between the energized Airboy and burnt-out James Robinson is nothing short of poetic. Airboy #3 tells stories of deep personal anguish mixed with humour and action; a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way.

Airboy continues to be one of the brightest gems of this comic book season. If you do not read Airboy #3 and have no plans to, well you’re dead to me.

 

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker