jmbz38's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
willdrown's review against another edition
4.0
This is probably the prime example that I'd use off the top of my head if someone asked me about a comic book that's good but really could have been great.
A change of publisher, two runs cut short, and a messy conclusion couldn't really tank the kooky charm of The Paybacks in the end but they did spoil the fun a bit. Although all of the above opened the story up to some real weirdness and a further smattering of jokes at the expense of more well-known characters, it's still jarring to see Cates develop a storyline gently and with a clear future in mind, only for it to be snatched away by commercial troubles.
Honestly, knowing that Cates went on to become a hit-maker for Marvel with a series of off-beat comical works is all you need to get the meat of this comic. It's insanity, it's a parody, it's a non-stop reference-fest and though I usually adamantly despise the latter part, it works here. Cates just puts so much demented heart into the misadventures of the team that it's hard not to root for them and laugh at the ridiculous twists and homages. I firmly believe that this had a whole lot of potential but even as is, it's still a quip-filled sight to behold and a great example of how an earlier work, even if not 100% successful, can lead to a bright future. All I can say is - hell yeah for Donny Cates and hell yeah for Geoff Shaw, whose art is half the reason most of the sight gags work.
A change of publisher, two runs cut short, and a messy conclusion couldn't really tank the kooky charm of The Paybacks in the end but they did spoil the fun a bit. Although all of the above opened the story up to some real weirdness and a further smattering of jokes at the expense of more well-known characters, it's still jarring to see Cates develop a storyline gently and with a clear future in mind, only for it to be snatched away by commercial troubles.
Honestly, knowing that Cates went on to become a hit-maker for Marvel with a series of off-beat comical works is all you need to get the meat of this comic. It's insanity, it's a parody, it's a non-stop reference-fest and though I usually adamantly despise the latter part, it works here. Cates just puts so much demented heart into the misadventures of the team that it's hard not to root for them and laugh at the ridiculous twists and homages. I firmly believe that this had a whole lot of potential but even as is, it's still a quip-filled sight to behold and a great example of how an earlier work, even if not 100% successful, can lead to a bright future. All I can say is - hell yeah for Donny Cates and hell yeah for Geoff Shaw, whose art is half the reason most of the sight gags work.
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