While the previous issues of The
Li’l Depressed Boy had wit and charm, this issue brings not only that but
an emotional ending that makes me want to cry for LDB and thank Sina Grace for
finally giving his true talent over to this issue art wise. This time LDB has to help the girl of his dreams clean her apartment
after her birthday party was interrupted by the cops. Later when LDB shows up to her apartment again her roommate
Jet tags along for a quick bite to eat and later a battle of epic proportions:
laser tag.
The Li’l Depressed Boy series started out strong and
continues to propel forward in this issue written by S. Steven Struble. Humor abounds with subtle
comic book jokes ranging in subject from Deadman to Madman and the whole
hysterical scene of laser tag. The
characters felt real throughout the issue and LDB is probably one of the most
likeable characters you could ever meet through the panels of a comic
book. This issue also takes the
time the other issue lacked to quickly, but fully show Jet’s character and makes
him into another well-developed character.
The story again lacks much of a plot like the second issue
and pretty much no conflicts arise (unless you count beating teenagers in a
laser tag battle ‘conflict’). But
the ending of this issue solidified it as my favorite issue so far in the
series. No spoilers here but the
ending is a surprisingly emotional one for a comic that seems so light-hearted
most of the time and reminds you just how heartbreaking life can be. It does affect my opinion of everyone
around LDB, but it does show how much LDB has been able to affect me.
What surprised me even more than the story reaching its
highest peak was the artwork hitting its highest peak too. Before, many of the one paged scenes of
panels with no dialogue failed to evoke much emotion from me and the art seemed
too simplistic for my taste. But
this issue shows just how powerful art without words can be. The art still lacks detail, but detail
is not needed with only the beginning seeming to lack the emotions felt
throughout the rest of the comic like the pages from the last
issue. The ending really
showed off Sina Grace’s abilities to bring out emotion in his art and the
colors (or lack of seeing as some were almost pitch black) were very
effective.
The entire issue feels like the playful and heartbreaking
realities of life, brought forth by both the art and the story. It is not complex and it does not need
to be with a roster of great characters and witty remarks fans of the comic
genre will appreciate, though they may lose audiences unfamiliar with comic
books or people looking for comics about superheroes. The "normal" reality-based characters’ journeys are still timeless and can be related to by many people. This issue is definitely the best Li’l Depressed Boy issue
and I look forward to seeing what S. Steven Struble and Sina Grace come up with
next.
Overall – 9.5/10
*Outstanding -
A top tier title that shouldn't be missed. All the kids are talking about it
and they want more!*
Check out the preview for this issue as well!
[Updated 6/13]