Customer Reviews

Zot! Special Edition: The Complete Black and White Collection: 1987-1991

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When the big two publishers (DC and Marvel)get you down, it's time to look at Indy Comics. Zot! is by Scott McCloud, who wrote another book called Understanding Comics, and though I know OF it, I've not read Understanding Comics, so I can assure you that McCloud isn't getting any reflected glory. With that in mind, I'd actually give this book a 4.5 out of 5.

It's not a perfect book, because it's not a perfect book. The first ten issues are missing, and as of this review, there's no plans to reprint the material. There was no summary to explain what happened in those first ten issues. And, we don't even get character bios to explain who everyone is. Scott McCloud makes the excuse that "575 pages is enough," but some character bios would have only taken at most two pages. Also, a story is missing, "Getting to 99," you can still sorta read it, but it's printed really small, so its not enjoyable to read.

That said, I gave this a 5 out of 5, because once you look past these petty nitpicks, this collection is strong. You'll pick up on the character that matter after the first two chapters. The book is divided into two parts "Heroes and Villains" and "Earth Stories." You might already know that "Earth Stories" gets a lot of praise for the issues it played with, and I'll agree it deserves it. Let me tell you about "Heroes and Villains" instead. Part One is spent mainly on Zot's world, a pseudo-utopia where villain and hero battles are not something to get overly worried about. McCloud creates a decent Rogue's gallery for Zot to fight, some villains are silly, but there are some serious threats like 9-Jack-9 and Dekko, who are a wonder to behold. "Heroes and Villains" is important for when you get to the middle of "Earth Stories" and you suddenly wish for the simplicity of Zot's world. So, put together, they're a great experience. Should I mention this is a love story?

I love the art. Modern superhero art is big and flashy, this feels more down to earth. When Zot's happy, he's really happy. And when Jenny's sad, you can see her face twist with anger and frustration. I love how most of the stories are one, two, maybe three chapters long, making them easily digestible bites that I can pick up and put down. Plus this collection fits very comfortably in my hands. I got the signed hardcover version, they only made 1000 of these and mine is 961.


So there's some really good art in here, superhero silliness, and some solid writing for the "Earth Stories." It's not very violent, but there's talk about sex in this book, so it's not for young readers. If you're tired of mainstream superhero comics, this is worth a look. Heck, I think non-comicbook readers can get into this book.

I have to admit, though at times Zot! is a little to light hearted and simple, it does surprise you with occasional topics that you didn't think it would go to. Some of the stories are just fun and silly with comical villans, some are a little too teenage melodrama, and some are rather dark stories. It mainly focuses on the relationship between Zot (the super hero) from a parallel universe and Jenny who's from our earth. Each one finds each others universe more appealing than their home worlds. So you often have stories with jenny frustrated with her world which she feels is less evolved than Zot's world, but not doing much to improve it, while Zot wants to make a difference in both worlds.

Some hardcore comic fan's may or may not enjoy this, depends on what sort of mood your in, and if you can enjoy light hearted adventures with occasional dark theme's. I can see teenagers, especially teenage girls enjoying this, all stories still hold rather well after 20+ years.