Today’s Comic> Herobear & The Kid: The Inheritance #1

I think Herobear could take Hobbs in a fight. Don’t tell the Comic Strip Critic I said so.

Herobear And The Kid: The Inheritence #1

Kaboom! (August, 2013)

Shortly after his grandfather passes away Tyler and him family move into his old house where he and his sister receive their inheritance. In Tyler’s case it’s a broken pocket watch and an old teddy polar bear. But Tyler’s first day involves a first crush, new bullies, and a secret about that old bear.

What they got right: While I was a bit put off by Kunkel’s art style when he did Billy Batson & The Magic Of Shazam! (not that I hated it) it seems to work better for me here. Maybe it’s because this is an original concept and I don’t have the picture in my head of these characters like I do Billy and his friends. The writing is still as solid and that’s what matters.

What they got wrong: I liked meeting Tyler and his situation, but this all felt like set-up so it’s really hard for me to judge beyond the fact that I still enjoyed Kunkel’s run on Billy Batson so he’s at least earned my curiosity. Also, not sure we need the bully’s older brothers in the same class. A few lackeys would have sufficed.

Other Notes: I believe this is a re-collection of the first story line in a comic that Kunkel self-published or published through a different company. I heard of it which is what led me to check this issue out as much as Kunkel’s “rep” with me on Billy Batson.

Recommendation: I can’t lock a target audience besides “kids” and I don’t know yet it adult fans would enjoy it. Based on his other work I’ve seen it should at least be enjoyable.

The whole transformation was pretty interesting but I like this panel best.