Written By: Robert Kirkman
Art By: Jason Howard
Letters By: Rus Wooton
Edits By: Sina Grace
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Super Dinosaur is amongst the most obscure comics I have ever encountered, it’s a dinosaur and a 10 year old who fight other evil dinosaurs in hopes of containing the mad-villain, Doctor Max Maximus. Derek, the kid, has a father that is quite the mad scientist himself, at least he was until Max fried his brain. Now Derek must pick up his fathers slack if he is to save mankind from the impending horrors that will come with this strange dino-pocalypse that is lead by the hand of Maximus and his dinosaur men. Sounds like a good time right? Wrong.
Alongside being obscure, which is generally viewed as a positive, came the most repetitive and predictable writing I had ever had displeasure of reading. I know this is a kids book, rated Everyone so it stands, but I can normally enjoy a child friendly comic just as much as any other. In the case of Super Dinosaur I will never be able to say the same. The maturity level of the writing felt as though it was geared towards children of ages that can’t even read yet, while the plot itself actually felt a bit more mature. It seems as though every panel was created for nothing more than to house a bad ass dinosaur. But, when the plot reeks of poo and with every page you are reminded of just how ‘awesome’ Derek and his life are, it begins to feel more like a contest than an actual tale. I would jump futher into details about the writing and why it blew, but, it hurts me to talk down about Kirkman and it is not something I wish to do for long. So let’s get to the positives shall we?
For one, I really enjoyed the perspective taken in the writing. Watching this 10 year old live out every boys dream is wonderful and exciting, if you skip past a lot of the dialogue. And the art is to die for. From what I’ve read Kirkman found Howard at a con and I don’t think he could have found a worthier counter-part. Derek’s face is constantly filled with joy as he battles his way through dyno-men and other horrors alike. He never appears scared or bothered, just happy. The fight scenes felt smooth and every action was traceable and clear, making for enticing and jaw-dropping panels that make this comic nearly worth the buy.
Side Note: My boyfriend has read this review over and decided that I am talking bad of a great work. Apparently I do not house the imagination it takes to read through this comic – so he says. And I, as a girl who played with Barbies, will never understand just how great a story like Super Dinosaur is for people who dreamed of them as kids. Although, he does agree the plot kinda sucks outside of it’s nostalgic qualities and I include this only because I feel that I may have judged it to harshly for the general population.
Overall, my rating sits at 2/5. Buyer beware: You better freaking LOVE dinosaurs to get through this one or really love great art.
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