[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Peter Milligan
Art: Michael Montenat
Colors: Felipe Sobreiro
Letters: Rob Steen

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

As Kim is about to be fed to the swamp, the Happy Police arrive en force and it’s hard to tell if things are going to end happily, sadly…or something else entirely…!

Positives

With a series that has dealt so directly with the human condition, it only seems right that we get life and death in the climax of the conflict.  Additionally, since the human condition cannot be defined in simple terms like “happy” and “sad,” it’s appropriate (and brilliant) that Happy Hour #6 ends somewhere else.  There’s a lot to digest in the final? issue (I suppose there could be more, we are teased with “The End?”}

Ironically (that will be really funny by the time this review is done), this story does have a happy ending.  The basic premise started with Jerry and Kim attempting to escape the government version of happiness in order to be miserable.  Along the way they found something else that brought them happiness.  Of course, it wasn’t the government mandated happiness, but rather a happiness they found on their own terms through falling in love.  Gee, sounds like real life doesn’t it?  That sort of seems to be the thing that’s unfolded.  The story is working on multiple levels.  One the most basic level it’s a soft sci-fi story about a dystopian future- more irony because it’s called “happy hour.”  However we can also look at the whole thing as an analog of sorts.

If Jerry and Kim represent the average person, the happy police/government is people telling you to be happy, or do things “this way.”  Landor Cohen’s commune represents the opposite viewpoint (whatever that might be!).  As one grows and explores life and tries to experience the counter argument because it “feels” right, it comes down to finding one’s own path.  While there are different ways to take this story, stepping back and looking at it from a macro-perspective gives this reviewer this insight.  It may seem too simplistic or obvious, but taking into consideration that the story involves the conflict of two wholly opposite conditions it makes sense that in life there’s got to be a middle ground and a fluidity between these emotions.  The people that are truly happy are those that get to experience both sides, naturally.  There’s even a moment where McSmith of the Happy Police is confronted with the notions that Sullivan has found happiness by going to the misery commune. (There’s other factors at play, but McSmith sees the logic of his turn from misery to happiness on his own terms.)

Positives Cont’d 

The narrative itself finds Jerry standing up for Kim and not letting her die alone.  Love triumphs as Jerry sees he can’t let her die and does what he can, whether it succeeds or not.  It’s better to get those true feelings out there and die together than live in regret.  (More irony.)  In the midst of the assault, Jerry and Kim are pulled from the swamp by Sullivan and they all escape separately.  Jerry and Kim while on the run stumble upon the most bizarre thing, and English double decker bus in the desert.  Irony?  

The story takes an unexpected turn that again ends with a reading on multiple levels.  They end up amongst a group of folks who subscribe to neither happiness or sadness.  From a narrative perspective, they seem to be in yet another predicament, and the end suggests that there could be more to the story (please! yes!)  However, there also seems to be a reading that they have just come to the obvious conclusion for characters  who have found happiness by travelling to a place that embraces misery and sadness.  They have escaped and been swept into a camp surrounded by people who subscribe to Irony.  

There are some genuinely funny moments in this issue that remind the reader for all the serious pontificating above, this is Happy Hour is also satire.  One of the curious decisions by writer Peter Milligan is to name one of the members of the Happy Police (get ready for it)- Milligan!  It’s hard to work out exactly what he’s saying about himself if anything, but it seems significant.  I don’t believe for a second that he chose Milligan because he couldn’t think of any other names.  Michael Montenat turns in another great looking issue, communicating all he can with facial expressions and body language and also making everyone recognizable with a unique appearance.  

Negatives

It’s over…or is it?  It sort of had to end, though- didn’t it?

Verdict

Happy Hour is smart, funny and insightful.  It discusses the human condition in a unique and entertaining manner quite unlike anything else.  Happy Hour #6 ends with a brilliant ending that works on multiple levels and keeps the reader thinking long after the reading is over.  Don’t miss this special comic, even if you have to wait for the collected edition.  It doesn’t get much better than this.

The post Indie Comics Review: Happy Hour #6 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Peter Milligan
Art: Michael Montenat
Colors: Felipe Sobreiro
Letters: Rob Steen

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

It turns out Landor Cohen’s commune is just as evil and sadistic in their methods as the Happy Police.  So where do Kim and Jerry go from here- a quick-mud pit?

Positives

From the beginning of the series there’s been a tacit understanding that there is a range of human emotions that are important for everyone to experience.  In issue #1 we learned how the Happy Police enforce government mandated happiness and how they literally beat the “sad” out of you in readjustment centers.  In Happy Hour #5, we finally get to see that neither side is right.  It’s not just simply that people want the right to be unhappy at times, but rather that people SHOULD be miserable and that life is nothing more than a sad veil of tears.

All this shows how Milligan is using hyperbole to make his point.  In life, we all get annoyed with people who seem perpetually happy or miserable.  While there can be medical reasons for these things, more often than not some people’s personalities gravitate toward one end of the spectrum.  It seems that Milligan is arguing that one needs to be accepting of the other and seek to understand.  Of course, this goes beyond one’s emotional personality.

There’s a further twist in Kim and Jerry’s relationship as well that changes things, and at the same time doesn’t change things.  Not wishing to spoil it, I’ll say that Milligan is going for a complicated relationship that echoes things in real life and it begs the questions of motivation as well as forgiveness and understanding.  Milligan has kept us on our toes for the duration of the series that you can’t tell if there will be yet another twist in the finale next month.

Negatives

What would be the point of having a negative this far into the series?  Despite a really humorous element missing from Happy Hour #5, it doesn’t detract.  If anything it helps intensify the seriousness of the events in the issue and remind the reader that neither side is in the right in their extremism.  Additionally, it makes Kim and Jerry’s relationship all the more intense.

Verdict

It should come as no surprise that Happy Hour #5 doesn’t disappoint.  If anything, it could be the strongest issue of the series.  This penultimate issue takes things to a new place as it also emphasizes the greater theme of the series.  There aren’t many series that are able to provide such a thoughtful statement on the human condition, but Happy Hour seems to do it easily and with a strong emotional component that is palpable.

The post Ahoy Comics Review: Happy Hour #5 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

[Some of the sample images are graphic and not intended for younger readers]
Writer: Peter Milligan
Art: Michael Montenat
Colors: Felipe Sobreiro
Letters: Rob Steen

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Kim and Jerry come to terms with their feelings as they finally make it to Landor Cohen’s commune in Mexico, but have they just gone from the frying pan into the fire?

Positives

There are times in a comic book series that the story goes in a direction you hope it will.  Hopefully, that is a good thing because it is the right direction for the story and the characters.  Often times, we are challenged with a surprise that is irritating or unwelcome or makes the reader dislike the path of the story.  I’m happy to report that Happy Hour #4 goes in the direction of the former.

The credit goes to the creative team  who have sold the reader on the relationship between Kim and Jerry.  Everything they’ve gone through has brought them closer together and we’ve been teased along the way.  Milligan’s words and Montenat’s pictures have combined to make the reader believe that these characters are falling for each other.  Now, that’s not to say that there could be a surprise down the road, but going in to this after the first three issues there’s been ample time to see this potential relationship go the other way.  The fact that they are both enduring some awful situations together makes it more believable that they will end up together.  Additionally, it makes the plot work if both characters are genuine.  If one of them is faking or a “plant” it detracts from the plot and the meaning of the tale.

Positives Cont’d

There continues to be a balance in the book as Milligan includes some humor to balance out the serious aspects.  Not that there’s anything really funny about food poisoning, but as the scene plays out and what it leads to certainly provides some lighter moments of dark humor.  And, while it’s not perhaps outright funny because it’s been suggested for the past couple of issues, there is a “funny” side to Kim and Jerry’s realization at the end once they get inside the commune.

The greatest strength of this series that usually overrides the interesting and clever world building is the character development of Kim and Jerry.  The pivotal scene in Happy Hour #4  in which they come to terms with their feelings for each other is just brilliant.  It takes into account each character’s strengths and weaknesses and adds a little bit of quirky to the mix as well.  From the dialogue by Milligan to the framing of the action by Montenat to the delicate color work by Sobreiro, it just a magical scene.  Everything about it is perfect, because it sort of makes the reader feel like he/she is falling for the character’s as well.    The ineffective blanket that Kim has wrapped around her implies that this situation that begins contentiously will end quite differently, but how it gets there is what’s magical.  The juxtaposition of the almost naked Kim (which would traditionally make her feel vulnerable) is flipped because she’s the martial arts expert.  Compounded with the fact that it’s Jerry who’s on the floor with Kim’s foot in his face makes for some wonderful visual storytelling.

Negatives

The only negative is that now Milligan has got me on pins and needles for Kim and Jerry to get through all this alive!

Verdict

Beating a dead horse would be funny to the happy police in the world of Happy Hour, but I’m doing it here because it bears repeating: Happy Hour is simply a fantastic book!  If you like great stories about well-developed characters that provide insight into the human condition…well, go buy it!   Happy Hour #4 satisfies on every level of comic reading!

The post Ahoy Comics Review: Happy Hour #4 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Peter Milligan

Art: Michael Montenat

Colors: Felipe Sobreiro

Letters: Rob Steen

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

While escaping Gleeville, Jerry succumbs to his suspicious about Kim and Landor Cohen sends a “rescue mission” for Hamm.  But, it’s not exactly what you might think.

Positives

What stands out about Happy Hour #3 immediately is the emotional rollercoaster Milligan and Montenat put the reader on from the outset.  Both with Kim and Jerry and Hamm and Landor, things go in both directions.  Additionally, Milligan continues to muddy the waters as we finally get to see the resident’s of Landor Cohen’s commune in Mexico.

Since issue # 1, Milligan and Montenat have been developing the relationship between Jerry and Kim.  And, it’s so well done there’s not been a hint of subterfuge along the way.  With Happy Hour #3, we get the first inkling that there could be something amiss, OR it could just be Jerry sabotaging things inside his own head.  It’s a really well balanced situation, and yet as we see here, its demise either way will be heartbreaking.  Of course, despite the notion in the story that being miserable is “ok,” human nature dictates that the reader wants to see these two happy, and happy together.  It’s a simply brilliant counterbalance of themes.

Positives Cont’d

As we are introduced to the inhabitants of Landor Cohen’s Commune in Mexico, it’s immediately obvious everything isn’t “sunshine and roses” or is that “shit and shingles….?”  While Landor makes his point about unhappiness being a natural part of the human condition, again, there is no balance.  While he seems blissful in his contentment, the other members appear dismal and beleaguered.   There is again, just like in the country from which they are estranged, no balance.  Cohen gives Rodney a mission, and while it appears to be rescue mission for Hamm, it ends up being something else.  It’s a great surprise and even more so considering the fact we are already privy to the fact that Hamm is faking his happiness.  So, Rodney’s mission is not only for naught, but detrimental to the cause.  It’s a great twist, a brilliant twist.

Michael Montenat continues to keep things real, imbuing every scene with significant facial expressions and body language.  There are no great action sequences in Happy Hour #3, but that doesn’t mean that Montenat doesn’t convey a lot of information in his layouts and figural depictions.  Those feet, Kim’s wonderful feet!

Negatives

I like what’s going on with these characters so much I don’t want to see anything bad happen to them independently!  Keep ’em together!!

Verdict

Happy Hour continues to be an interesting and thought provoking series from Ahoy Comics.  Milligan and Montenat deliver the goods again!  There’s so much in this issue that takes the story in new directions, an already great series just got even better!  It’s not too late to jump in!

The post Ahoy Comics Review: Happy Hour #3 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Peter Milligan

Art: Michael Montenat

Colors: Felipe Sobreiro

Letters: Rob Steen

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Jerry and Kim break out of the Readjustment Center after learning that Hamm is too far gone to be of any help.  A detour to Jerry’s Grandmother’s retirement home brings a few more surprises.

Positives

While there’s no doubt Happy Hour #2 is a fantastic issue, there is one scene that stands out immediately.  After Jerry and Kim have escaped the Readjustment Center and are on the run, they actually have a moment of joy.  They are making jokes about their destination, the retreat of Landor Cohen and they are actually having fun.  Montenat does a great job of communicating their happiness as well as the intimacy that is growing between the two.  It’s an electric scene as the emotion spills off the page especially visually.

Suddenly, Jerry realizes he’s feeling happiness and he feels guilty and gets Kim to see that they should stop and remember that they are becoming like everyone else.  Now, of course this doesn’t mean they are going to the other side, but simply finding something besides misery in their lives.  They are finding not just camaraderie, but a happiness in being with each other.  It scares them.  But, it’s a brilliant scene as Milligan is able to show how neither misery nor happiness is enough.  The full range of emotions are necessary and healthy.

Additionally, even though we want them to overcome the enforced happiness, seeing them deny some genuine joy is saddening.  In the end, you want the characters to find happiness, and to see them push it away adds to the complexity of the world in which they are living.

Positives Cont’d

While this is the most emotionally moving scene, there is some humor peppered throughout the issue that works well and keeps the comic fun.  This could be a dour and depressing story, but Milligan keeps it diverse.  The irony of these two hijacking a “clown van” is hilarious.  You see, the government calls in clowns to cheer up kids after there’s been a school shooting…no, really!  

When they arrive at the retirement home, they are shocked to see a party with The Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer” blasting from the stereo.  For Jerry and Kim they’ve walked into another madhouse, and Kim can’t take it, exploding and getting thrown out by security.  Jerry finds his grandmother and they have a wonderful moment that contains a surprise for Jerry- grandma is faking the happiness. 

What’s great about all these scenes is that it illustrates that Milligan is using the characters to tell the story.  Milligan and Montenat have made us care about these characters.  We want to see good things happen for them.  There is always the possibility that Milligan could turn everything upside down to reveal that they are only happy when they are miserable.

Negatives

The only thing that comes across as a negative for this issue, is that Jerry and Kim escape pretty quickly from the Readjustment Center.  However, it does serve the story because the real story is not of their escape, it’s what happens to them on the outside as the experience the world.

Verdict

Like last issue, Peter Milligan tells the story through his characters and the reader is completely invested in them.  Happy Hour #2 is even better than #1.  Milligan is not afraid to add a little bit of humor to make the reader smile, and despite the protagonists own reactions to happiness, it’s an incredibly clever device.  Even though Jerry and Kim seem to feel they should be, you can’t be miserable all the time, can you?  Examining genuine emotions, this issue is another winner from your mates at Ahoy!

The post Ahoy Comics Review: Happy Hour #2 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Peter Milligan

Art: Michael Montenat

Colors: Felipe Sobreiro

Letters: Rob Steen

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Welcome to a world in which everyone is happy!  And, it’s the law!  But, there’s a revolution coming, and this is how it begins….

Positives

Right off the bat, this feels very much like an episode of The Twilight Zone.  And, that’s a good thing.  The Twilight Zone television series was groundbreaking in its time.  It told stories of science fiction and horror in an anthology format with an emphasis on character.  Happy Hour #1 uses these same techniques.  The issue opens in a world that is very familiar to the reader.  There are no alien landscapes or bug-eyed monsters to alert the reader that this is unlike the world in which the reader lives.  However, what happens in the first few pages reveals that this world isn’t exactly like our own.

We see this world through the life of Jerry Stephens.  Stephens is easily relatable.  His experiences in this issue will resonate with everyone.  Without spoiling things, let’s just say Stephens experiences a tragedy and ends up in a readjustment center.  There, he meets a fellow inmate, Kim and at this point there may be a bit of influence from George Orwell’s 1984 creeping in to the mix.  While it’s not love and sex that are forbidden, it’s unhappiness.  Nevertheless, Jerry and Kim bond over their shared unhappiness.

There’s a third player in the readjustment center, Agent Hamm.  He’s a government agent who’s been turned and has his own brand of unhappiness.  These three agree to fall in with Hamm and at it’s going great at first, until…well, …..

Positives Cont’d

Even though the tenor of the issue promotes the full range of feelings, there is that one moment early on where the idea of always positive attitude is put forth.  Even though it’s not what the story is about, acknowledging it is important, because a positive attitude is important, one cannot realistically always be happy, nor can one realistically always be miserable.  The ability to feel range of emotions describes our humanity.

Milligan leaves lots of room to explore the world he’s building.  It’s more interesting as we discover it through Jerry’s eyes and experiences.  This goes hand in hand with Hamm’s story and his heretofore unknown interaction with the fugitive, Cohen.

Montenat and Sobreiro are a solid team on the art chores.  Montenat uses a straightforward approach as he describes what should be the real world.  His story telling is clear and engaging.  Sobreiro gets to be a little more creative with colors as he washes a background red or blue to provide an emotion to the scene, even if it’s unnatural.  Bottom line- it’s effective.

Lastly, Milligan pokes a little fun at editor Tom Peyer as he invents the Peyer unhappiness scale as a form of measurement used by the government.  It’s one clear laugh in the issue.  Interestingly, one of the features of Ahoy Comics is the inclusion of a few text stories.  I suggest not skipping these.  Like the old days of comics, these flesh out the issue.  They are clever and entertaining, even if they don’t relate to the main story.  It’s also a nice reminder that you are reading a magazine.

Negatives

There’s not a real negative with Happy Hour #1.  The premise is intriguing and the execution is well done.  No capes and long underwear here, if that’s your thing…but, in some cases that’s a positive….

Verdict

Happy Hour #1 is a strong start for Milligan and Montenat.  There are allusions to some deep questions about the nature of humanity in this inaugural issue.  There is fertile ground to explore as the surface of this world is only scratched.  Using Jerry Stephens as the protagonist and guide through this world, the reader will be able to relate to his travails.  Go buy this comic.

The post Ahoy Comics Review: Happy Hour #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.