Broken Frontier

Shuck is back and comics are a better place for his return. Not to mention that this series just keeps getting better.

Shuck has arrived in the town of Thicket, looking to begin his retirement for the next 1000 years. Unfortunately, some sulfurous explosions may prevent that retirement from getting underway properly. When Shuck goes to inspect those explosions, his fears come true. Everyone=s favorite demon has to procure some souls before the archfiend grows too weak to survive. Meanwhile, little Thursday Friday is dealing with the loss of her grandfather...and how does that loss tie in with Shuck?

As strong a story as the first issue was, Rick Smith really gets going here. With the characters now established for new and old readers alike, he can now really delve into his story. And delve he does. Shuck the Sulfurstar is on track to be the best Shuck story yet. After an entertaining introduction of some of Shuck=s demonic counterparts, Smith gives readers some very entertaining interaction between Shuck, Thursday, and Thursday=s mother. This interaction really sets up Thursday=s relationship with her grandfather and makes the later events of the story more powerful. The story=s plot is very good too, as Shuck comes face to face with a very difficult decision. Along the way, we get a hilarious scene in a barbershop and more of the charming Shuck dialogue. I particularly enjoyed Thursday=s use of Alick trick@ in place of electric.

Rick Smith is a great artist. He makes any book he=s involved with better for his involvement. Yet, it somehow seems as if his art suits Shuck absolutely perfectly. It=s as if Shuck were the book he were meant to draw. His character designs, particularly for the demon himself and young Thursday Friday are incredible--you can almost see their character through his drawings alone. Further, his art has a life to it, one that translates clearly into the world Smith has imagined for Shuck and company. Also impressive is the fluidity of Smith=s art. The story flows effortlessly from panel to panel.

In this second edition of Shuck the Sulfurstar, we also get an extra little bonus tale. It=s a light snack in the world of Shuck, but it=s entertaining and rather funny. To go along with that, of course, Rick Smith includes another one of his sawlogs, the cartoon strips of his past dreams. This one is a slightly disturbing dream about a squirrel. I hope the sawlogs continue to be included in the Shuck comics, because they=re a very nice touch.

Not only does Shuck the Sulfurstar diversify the market a bit, it=s also flat out one of the best books being published right now. Plus, it=s one of those books you can share with non-comic readers. Buy it. Enjoy it. Share it. You won=t regret it.