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ecote525's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this more, but MST3K translated to comics turns out to be too overwhelming...it took me a while to determine, and then get used to, which thought/speech bubbles were riffs vs. actual dialogue. There were a few good jokes here and there, along with some throwbacks to the classic series. An okay reading experience, but takes much longer to read than your average comic.
jamietherebelliousreader's review
3.0
3 stars. I’m a big, huge, ginormous fan of MST3K. The original run and the Netflix reboot. It’s my favorite show of all time and sparked my love for bad movies. So to say that I was excited about this comic is a gross understatement. I see and can appreciate what Joel was going for but I just don’t think this concept really works in comic form. Or I probably should’ve read these as their individual issues instead of in one go. The plot loses steam and gets really incoherent by the end. The humor was hit or miss but I will say I personally think that Crow’s comics were the best part and had the best riffs. Not to say Jonah and Servo’s weren’t entertaining because they were but Crow’s were superior. I’m not mad I read this and I had fun while reading it for the most part but I’d say just stick to the show.
thoroughlymodernreviewer's review against another edition
4.0
In news that should surprise absolutely no one, Mystery Science Theater 3000 makes for a really funny, really enjoyable, and really good comic. I reviewed the first issue back when it came out and found it to be a pretty enjoyable read. Now, I've finished the final issue of the run and I can confirm that it remains an enjoyable read throughout its run, intertwining the signature
The MST3K comic plays out very similarly to the MST3K show: there's a host segment, some riffing over a movie/comic, an ad break, more riffing, and a final host segment. The purpose of these host segments (illustrated by Todd Nauck) is, mainly, to introduce the concept of this comic series to readers (both those familiar with MST3K and any who might be discovering it for the first time) and to facilitate the switching between the various story strands - more on those momentarily. In the host segments, we find out that Kinga has invented this new technology – called the Bubbulat-R – that can put people inside of comic books and allow them to both live through the events of the comic and riff on them. So, naturally, she puts Jonah and the ‘Bots into a comic and sets them loose. The host segments throughout the series really feel like one from the revival of the TV series. All of the characters’ voices are captured perfectly and Nauck’s illustrations perfectly encapture the look and feel of the series. They're a marvelous touch and they help facilitate the flow of the series very well.
The actual meat of the series, however, is filled with three different comics that Jonah and the 'Bots are sent into: "Tom Servo: Teen Reporter" (a take on "Johnny Jason: Teen Reporter", "Black Cat" (where Jonah teams up with Black Cat, a public domain superhero), and "Horrible" (where Crow takes on the role of a Crypt Keeper-esque facilitator of spooky moral tales). It's kind of nice having the crew split up between several different stories as it gives each character plenty of time to shine, but I'm not sure I liked how each issue would switch between the three comics. It made it very hard for me to follow what was going on in the individual comics that were being riffed and it became a bit tedious as the focus would keep switching. I understand that this might be the point; that our focus should probably be on how funny the riffs are and how cool it is seeing these beloved characters in comic book form, but it didn't always make for the most fun reading experience. It might have worked better had each issue of the MST3K comic focused on a singular public domain comic, much like the TV series does with films. Then again, maybe I'd be wrong and that would have worked even less! Overall, the writing was still really good and the artwork in each separate comic-inside-the-comic was remarkable. Each artist (Jack Pollock, Mike Manley, and Mimi Simon) did a superb job at replicating the original artwork from the public domain series and mixing the MST3K characters into those worlds.
What makes this comic unique, however, is how it handles the riffing. As you watch the MST3K TV show, you'll notice a few different kinds of riffs: one is the kind that is made overtop of the film (Jonah/Joel/Mike and the 'Bots making a comment about the film), the other is made as if one of the characters says it. In the TV series, this is usually accomplished by whichever character who's delivering the riff impersonating the character they're delivering it as. In the comic, this is accomplished as a word balloon with an extra dot coming from that character. At first, it can be a bit tricky to differentiate what is actual dialogue and what is "riff"-dialogue, but once you get the hang of it, it ends up working out pretty well. All the jokes feel like things that might be said by these characters in the TV series and most of them land really well, being that perfect blend of obscure/topical/silly. It's a whole lot of fun.
That's a good way to sum up the MST3K comic, as a whole. It's a lot of fun. It’s really silly, just like the TV series. The artwork is nice, especially the artwork within the comics getting riffed. The writing is on point and feels like an extension of the universe of the TV series. The host segment was clever, well-written, and felt true to the characters and situations present in the TV series. The way that Joel Hodgson and the other writers tweaked the MST3K formula to best work within the medium of comics was really clever, surprising, and enjoyable. This is just a really fun comic. It’s light reading, but still insanely worthwhile. If you’re a fan of the show, check this out. If you’re new to the world of MST3K, still check it out. This might be the thing that hooks you.
4 out of 5 wands.
The MST3K comic plays out very similarly to the MST3K show: there's a host segment, some riffing over a movie/comic, an ad break, more riffing, and a final host segment. The purpose of these host segments (illustrated by Todd Nauck) is, mainly, to introduce the concept of this comic series to readers (both those familiar with MST3K and any who might be discovering it for the first time) and to facilitate the switching between the various story strands - more on those momentarily. In the host segments, we find out that Kinga has invented this new technology – called the Bubbulat-R – that can put people inside of comic books and allow them to both live through the events of the comic and riff on them. So, naturally, she puts Jonah and the ‘Bots into a comic and sets them loose. The host segments throughout the series really feel like one from the revival of the TV series. All of the characters’ voices are captured perfectly and Nauck’s illustrations perfectly encapture the look and feel of the series. They're a marvelous touch and they help facilitate the flow of the series very well.
The actual meat of the series, however, is filled with three different comics that Jonah and the 'Bots are sent into: "Tom Servo: Teen Reporter" (a take on "Johnny Jason: Teen Reporter", "Black Cat" (where Jonah teams up with Black Cat, a public domain superhero), and "Horrible" (where Crow takes on the role of a Crypt Keeper-esque facilitator of spooky moral tales). It's kind of nice having the crew split up between several different stories as it gives each character plenty of time to shine, but I'm not sure I liked how each issue would switch between the three comics. It made it very hard for me to follow what was going on in the individual comics that were being riffed and it became a bit tedious as the focus would keep switching. I understand that this might be the point; that our focus should probably be on how funny the riffs are and how cool it is seeing these beloved characters in comic book form, but it didn't always make for the most fun reading experience. It might have worked better had each issue of the MST3K comic focused on a singular public domain comic, much like the TV series does with films. Then again, maybe I'd be wrong and that would have worked even less! Overall, the writing was still really good and the artwork in each separate comic-inside-the-comic was remarkable. Each artist (Jack Pollock, Mike Manley, and Mimi Simon) did a superb job at replicating the original artwork from the public domain series and mixing the MST3K characters into those worlds.
What makes this comic unique, however, is how it handles the riffing. As you watch the MST3K TV show, you'll notice a few different kinds of riffs: one is the kind that is made overtop of the film (Jonah/Joel/Mike and the 'Bots making a comment about the film), the other is made as if one of the characters says it. In the TV series, this is usually accomplished by whichever character who's delivering the riff impersonating the character they're delivering it as. In the comic, this is accomplished as a word balloon with an extra dot coming from that character. At first, it can be a bit tricky to differentiate what is actual dialogue and what is "riff"-dialogue, but once you get the hang of it, it ends up working out pretty well. All the jokes feel like things that might be said by these characters in the TV series and most of them land really well, being that perfect blend of obscure/topical/silly. It's a whole lot of fun.
That's a good way to sum up the MST3K comic, as a whole. It's a lot of fun. It’s really silly, just like the TV series. The artwork is nice, especially the artwork within the comics getting riffed. The writing is on point and feels like an extension of the universe of the TV series. The host segment was clever, well-written, and felt true to the characters and situations present in the TV series. The way that Joel Hodgson and the other writers tweaked the MST3K formula to best work within the medium of comics was really clever, surprising, and enjoyable. This is just a really fun comic. It’s light reading, but still insanely worthwhile. If you’re a fan of the show, check this out. If you’re new to the world of MST3K, still check it out. This might be the thing that hooks you.
4 out of 5 wands.
1_and_owenly's review against another edition
3.0
Wacky fun. If you like the MST3K show, especially the latest run with Felicia Day, Patton Oswalt, and Jonah Ray, then you will find much to love in this comic. It was odd to think of "riffing" in the bounds of a comic book. But they make it work.
We get a three types of public domain stories: a teen detective, a lesser known superhero, and an old horror comic. All ripe for the riffing! Crow, Tom Servo, Jonah, & co have a blast with the medium switch.
I especially love Todd Nauk's art in the interstitial stories.
I want to give this 3.5 stars, but obviously that is not possible. To err too high or too low? That is the question.
We get a three types of public domain stories: a teen detective, a lesser known superhero, and an old horror comic. All ripe for the riffing! Crow, Tom Servo, Jonah, & co have a blast with the medium switch.
I especially love Todd Nauk's art in the interstitial stories.
I want to give this 3.5 stars, but obviously that is not possible. To err too high or too low? That is the question.
lukeisthename34's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty confusing, but a really fun concept and the art is stellar. Confusion or not, if it's MST3K, I'm supporting it.
the_discworldian's review against another edition
4.0
If you’re an MST3K fan and you enjoy the trippier, more nonsensical and WTF-filled episodes, you will likely enjoy this!
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever wanted to see what Mystery Science Theater would be like if it was Mystery Science Comics? …okay, I can see why they kept the name they did. Still, you know what I meant. This series is quite literally the Mystery Science Theater gang doing what they do best, only to classic comics.
And yes, before you worry; there is an equally hilarious and silly explanation for the what and why of it all. Fans of the original series will love it, not to mention that they’ll get so many of the hidden references strewn about there.
Naturally since this is the first issue of the series, it had to spend a bit of time establishing what was happening before it could move on to riffing the comic. It’s probably about half establishing and explaining, and half comic. I actually really enjoyed the balance of it. I wouldn’t mind seeing the rest of the issues hold to that pattern as well, even if it means that there isn’t a lot of progress in the series they’re having fun riffing.
Some of the artwork is original, like the first half of the issue. They also edit the original comic to include their own words (duh) as well as slight modifications to the characters…so you know, it’s the MST3K characters. Well, so far it’s just one that’s been altered, with a cameo from another one. But it works.
And yes, before you worry; there is an equally hilarious and silly explanation for the what and why of it all. Fans of the original series will love it, not to mention that they’ll get so many of the hidden references strewn about there.
Naturally since this is the first issue of the series, it had to spend a bit of time establishing what was happening before it could move on to riffing the comic. It’s probably about half establishing and explaining, and half comic. I actually really enjoyed the balance of it. I wouldn’t mind seeing the rest of the issues hold to that pattern as well, even if it means that there isn’t a lot of progress in the series they’re having fun riffing.
Some of the artwork is original, like the first half of the issue. They also edit the original comic to include their own words (duh) as well as slight modifications to the characters…so you know, it’s the MST3K characters. Well, so far it’s just one that’s been altered, with a cameo from another one. But it works.
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