Customer Reviews

The Pro

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Garth Ennis is insane. Comic readers the world over familiar with his brilliant series Preacher, his run on Hellblazer, and current run on The Punisher and The Boys, already know all this. They also know that Ennis has a disdain for superheroes, of which he exploits to full extent with The Boys (an excellent new series that got the axe from DC/Wildstorm because of the portrayal of the "heroes", check it out now!), as well as with The Pro. The Pro begs the question, what would happen if a low-rent, run down prostitute was bestowed with superpowers? Well, we find out in graphic detail with The Pro, who also comes across a super hero team that takes themselves way too seriously (a brilliant and hysterical spoof of the Justice League), and Ennis proves that he knows how to craft a story that is hilarious, gross, and even somewhat poignant. The art by Amanda Conner is fantastic as well, which makes this newly re-released edition of the book all the sweeter. The regular story itself is too short for it's own good, which is probably why a new story, entitled The Pro Meets The Hoe, is included here as well, and is quite funny to boot. Simply put, you have to read it to believe it with The Pro, as it ranks as one of Ennis' funniest and most offensive tales to see the light of day. And that previous sentence should be reason enough to make you go out and pick up The Pro.

If the cover is not enough of an indication, the opening page certainly sets the tone for the rest of the story. Garth Ennis wastes no time and gives no warning for those who are satire impaired or are faint of heart. If you liked Preacher, you are going to l-o-v-e The Pro.

Only Ennis could execute a no holds barred story about the world's first super-hero prostitute with that over-the-top writing style of his that has made him famous ... or would that be infamous? Whatever opinion you may have of this prolific writer, this book is certainly not going to change it. When Ennis' creative mojo is riding high, no amount of praying or crying from the prudish is going to save the souls of the innocent comic book readers. If we are going to hell, we may as well enjoy the ride!

The protagonist has all the charm of trailer park trash. The kind that you frequently see on Fox Network's television series C. O. P. S. However, a cosmic bet endows her with superpowers. It is at that point in the script where Ennis cranks up the absurdity level and hilariously maintains it to the last page. From the League Of Honor that spoofs DC Comics' Justice League, Speedo's lightning fast masturbation session in the background panels to The Saint's eventual use of profanity, Ennis pokes fun at the super-hero genre and those that advocate its creative stagnation which redefines the term; Pushing-The-Envelope. I would even dare say that Ennis is blatantly defying and challenging the industry's self-imposed strangulating boundaries. Need I tell you that the foul language would make your grandmother weep?

This is my first exposure to Amanda Conner's art work. One could easily think that it is reminiscent of John McCrea's style in DC's Hitman series. I suppose it does tend to lean towards the iconic and subjective but that would be a disservice in describing the amount of detail that is found in each panel or their composure on each page. The character's exaggerated expressions and body language gives the much needed caricatured visual in delivering Ennis' script and dialogue to the reader. Although Brian Bolland, George Perez, Neil Adams and Alex Ross can deliver lifelike portrayals, they would have certainly been the wrong choice for the book.

The Pro may be on its way to becoming a historic comic book and landmark work of entertainment that you will enjoy reading often.

When I first read this, it was like "WHOA! Can you DO that in a comic book?". Well, I guess you can. It's definitely a satire, and not everybody will find it to their liking. After all, she is a prostitute- and a cynical, nasty, profanity spouting one at that- who gets super powers. Amanda Conner gets the joke being pulled by Ennis, and her artwork is great at showing expressions that help provide the punchline. Others here have done a good job in summarizing the plot, so I won't belabor the point. If you're into off the wall comics that really push the boundaries, this one is for you. But if you think Archie and Pals are cool (who's hotter, Betty or Veronica?), skip this one.

Despite being a Garth Ennis fangirl, I think he can overdo it at times. And this was one of the problems with The Pro. I can understand that a down-on-her-luck hooker having a foul mouth, but even I got a little sick of all the swearing after a while (along with some other moments) to the point that it felt a little like shock.

Ennis does make some good points on the necessity of superheroes, how there might be things lurking under their goodie-goodie surface and I liked The Ho side story. I even warmed up a bit to the main character and her uses for her powers were amusing and I could see it happening with any woman in her position. While it's not my favorite Ennis story, he still does a fairly entertaining job.

There's a certain segment of the population that is married to the idea that comics ought to be cheap, semi-literate, kiddie-fare. Garth Ennis is not among them.

Rest assured, there is something to offend everyone in this book. It is crude, coarse, often disgusting and spares no cliche of the superhero mythos. This is not a comic for children, although I can't imagine why anyone would think it was, given the names attached to this book.

Coupled with the writing of Ennis is the fabulous artwork of Amanda Conner, who's long been a favorite of mine. Honestly, I probably haven't laughed this hard since the last time I read Evan Dorkin's Milk and Cheese.

If you are uptight, easily offended, not familiar with comics, or otherwise a bummer to hang around at parties, don't buy this book. It's for the rest of us.

In this day and age, after nearly 100 years of comic stories, it's hard to find something new and fresh that hasn't already been done. Enter The Pro. Even by modern standards, The Pro is darn near pornographic. Not quite, but it gets close in it's imagery. And the swearing? Hooo boy. That being said, The Pro is funny nearly from start to finish. And throw in a scene that literally made tears well up, and I'd say we've hit gold. I really don't know what else to say, except that if you don't mind some cursing and shock and awe, then you MUST give this a try. It's the birth of perhaps the most unorthodox heroine ever drawn. (And brilliantly so by Amanda Connor.) And Garth Ennis, well, whatever else you say about him, he knows how to tell a fresh tale with masterful writing. So if you aren't easily offended, then give this a try, and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Thanks so much for your time folks.
Sincerely, R.A. McDowell

Garth Ennis is insane. Comic readers the world over familiar with his brilliant series Preacher, his run on Hellblazer, and current run on The Punisher and The Boys, already know all this.

I love Garth Ennis and this was just a hilarious read. It's clear that Ennis is just having a laugh and we're lucky to be along for the ride. If some readers think it's not up to par with Garth's other works or that it lacks depth, it isn't meant to. Just read it and laugh your rear off like I did. I've re-read it a few times and it just gets funnier. The stereotypes are dead on as it pokes fun of the Justice League, and The Pro herself behaves exactly as a prostitute with new-found superpowers might: with no enthusiasm. Bravo Garth, and please keep more like this coming!!!

Funny, Ennis style ciggie drooping out of mouth spoof. It was unlikely an American writer would come up with this. A prostitute, who is a single mother, with all those problems as well, gains super powers. She ends up on a super team that is very image and pr conscious. A reasonable amount of hilarity ensues. With miniskirts.

This little story is 100% pure satire. Amongst the laughs, however, it poses some really serious questions about the concept of superheroes; why is it that bad things would happen in a world full of heroes? Where was Superman on September 11th? It's an excellent piece of writing with a good chunk of self-indulgent nastiness. A must read for comic book fans, but those with a weak sense of humor might be put off a bit.