Just Read - Aw Yeah Comics #4 & 5 by Baltazar and Franco

I’m not sure what else I can say about Aw Yeah Comics by Baltazar and Franco that I did not say in my original review, but issues #4 & 5 showed up in my PO  Box a couple of weeks ago and I was filled with joy. I was also filled with joy when I heard than the Aw Yeah Comic issue will be collected in trade form by Dark HorseComics sometime in 2014. I originally thought it was a shame that the only way to get these awesome books were through mail order or comic convention. Glad to see they will be making it to your local comic shop selves sometime in 2014.

Besides Baltazar and Franco hitting it out of the park with their stories in Aw Yeah Comics there are a bunch of other creators chipping in some excellent stories.

Denver Brubaker continues to deliver awesome 1-pagers each issue. I would love to see an all Brubaker issue, although I would probably miss the Baltazar and Franco stories quite a bit. Brubaker delivers a classic comic with modern sensibilities. I also love his coloring.

Scoot McMahon is right up there also. He creature such heart warming tales in such short space. I wish McMahon’s stories had a little more space in each issue. The lava story in issue #4 might be my favorite 2 pages in that entire issue.

I really enjoyed the Jaywalker story by Mahoney and Preitano in issue #5. I think it might just be a one-off appearance, but I hope to see more of this villain. In this story they covered one of my pet peeves perfectly, making it fun and enjoyable rather than preachy.

I really dig the jam style that each issue has. It’s not just a 16 page Baltazar and Franco story followed by a hand full of back-up. Sometime Baltazar and Franco are working with others, sometimes it is the two of them together. And the back-up stories are really splashed throughout the book and feel more like main features than back-ups. However they are doing it, a whole lot of heart is put into each and every issue of Aw Yeah Comics.

Aw Yeah Comics is great for all ages. That does not mean it is for kids, it really means all ages. I think anyone would get a kick out of this book, from a new reader just getting his/her feet wet to veteran who has been reading for 20+ years. After all I fall into the 20+ category and cannot wait for future issues to show up.

-Denny Riccelli creates comics under the pen name ‘dennmann’ he currently publishes the webcomic Cousin Harold and some mini-comics now and then, including Jenny Spookawski Ghost Girl. He lives in Peoria, Arizona with his wife and 2 kids.

Just Read - Aw Yeah Comics by Art & Franco

Let me start by saying that I have been an Art Baltazar and Franco fan for many years. I picked up a Patrick the Wolf Boy comic at some point in my history, remember liking it and then not be able to find any more. I did not make the connect that they were the same guys as the ones making the Tiny Titans until a couple of years ago when I bought a bunch of Patrick the Wolf Boy trades from them. So back earlier this year, when they had a Kickstarter to launch their new comic series Aw Yeah Comics, I was all over it. I finally settle at buying the 12 issues plus the 2 annual.  The other day I was pleasantly surprised when Aw Yeah Comics #1-3 showed up in the mail.

Aw Yeah Comics is classic Art and Franco. If you are unfamiliar with their work., these guys create smart kids comics that are all about fun. The main characters in this series are Action Cat and Adventure Bug and in their first story they must stop the villainous Evil Cat and his giant pancake. The second story features the first meeting between Action Cat and Adorable Cat as they both search for the Goojie-Nana, a Bigfoot style mythical creature. See I told you smart and fun.

Before the end of the 3 issues we are introduced to Shelly, Awesome Bear, Ghostbug, Daring Dog, Darling Dog and we see them fight Boom-a-Doom, Cell-Phone-Guy, South Paws, the Crafty Beaver, Marquaid and Polar Cycle. It appears Art and Franco have created something for everyone between the covers of an issue of Aw Yeah Comics. Each issue is pack with stories. Usually leading off with a longer piece followed by short 1-4 pagers.

Art and Franco have also brought along their comic pals to help with stories and art. For the most part the art and stories all feel very similar and you almost cannot tell the difference between stories. Art and Franco both have a very simple but dynamic art style. Their storytelling is also quick and to the point. And each of the boys provide some input into each issue, either in the story or art department. Perhaps my favorite non-Art and Franco pieces were created by Denver Brubaker (Tales of the Checkered Man), I hope there are more stories by him in the future.

If you are looking for a first comic for a young child, you could do no better than share Aw Yeah Comics with them (you will enjoy them too.) However at this point Aw Yeah Comics are not available at your local comic chop, so you will either need to go online or find them at a convention to purchase a copy.

-Denny Riccelli creates comics under the pen name ‘dennmann’ he currently publishes the webcomic Cousin Harold and some mini-comics now and then, including Jenny Spookawski Ghost Girl. He lives in Peoria, Arizona with his wife and 2 kids.