Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Mars Attacks KISS #1
IDW Comics
Ryall, Robinson & Fotos
The Mars Attacks crossover continues as Mars Attack Kiss. This book couldn't possibly be as strange as the premise behind Mars Attacks Popeye, can it? Well, when a band saves the Earth virtually by themselves from an invasion I'd say you are venturing into strange premise material. But is it entertaining? I'll put it this way: years from now when you are looking for something totally different to read, such as Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos, this one will definitely be on the short list.
Basically, Kiss isn't the band they will become yet. They are just four young musicians walking around when they happen onto a scouting team of Martians. These aren't ordinary Martians though because they have discovered a box of trinkets that give them the persona of the make-up, Kiss characters. Are these super powers? Maybe, maybe not, but the trinkets definitely change the appearance and mindset of the Martians.
The band members decide to take matters into their own hands as they realize these aren't friendly Martians. The battle doesn't quite go as expected though. The guys aren't alone and receive some help from above.
The book is definitely an entertaining read. I was a little taken aback at how little information was included about the band. I believe there is only one instance where even one of them is mentioned by name. To be honest, I couldn't tell them apart until the very end. The aspect of the book I liked was the quirkiness of the book. It has that good-over-evil attitude as well as that Happy Days-life-is-good mentality. Some of the comic definitely had me laughing too, which is a plus.
The artwork is good. I suppose not being able to tell the band members apart is as much on the art as it is the writing, but then again the Martians all have uniqueness to them. In that regard it is tough to say if the script demanded the generalness of the characters or the art just came out that way. The action is solid and is what's really important for this comic. The art definitely provides a fun and entertaining read.
Mars Attacks Kiss is a fun book. I liked it better than the Popeye one because of the switch it pulls at the beginning. I would have liked to see more introduction to the members of the group, even just one panel of some banter between them but there is something to be said for launching into the action. This is worth taking a look at. I guarantee it will be one of the more "different" comics you read this week or month.
3 out of 5 Geek Goggles
