Too Many Villians!

March 1, 2024
The Last Kids on Earth craft hastily planned new exploits for their costumed alter egos. In response to legions of comics fans demanding, as ever they do, "more of the same, but also different" from the second issue of Heroes of Apocalyptia, dark-skinned Quint, tan-skinned June, and light-skinned Jack and Dirk (aka "Musclehead") draw up a fresh set of foes in their new comic-within-a-comic. They start with a trio of inept supervillains, who turn out to be easily distracted by pizza, and throw in a frustrated AI that dishes up the evil schemes they consistently flub. Jack's breezy "we'll figure it out as we go" approach definitely sets the tone. Ultimately, the heroes and villains call a truce in order to confront a larger threat, highlighting the value of teamwork. This idea connects with references to the importance of planning (but not over-planning) as the thematic bases for a whirl of boss battles and other random-seeming set pieces, with the banter flying thick and fast. The opening and closing panels (set in the real world) are loosely sketched and colored in shades of blue, while the pages taking place in Apocalyptia are more finished and in full color. Made-up ads tout fictive merch between some of the chapters ("Enter the wacky world of sea giraffes! The real, live miniature giraffes you grow yourself! Just add sparkling water and watch 'em grow!"). A selection of fan letters and drawings appears at the end. More daft and daffy derring-do. (Graphic fiction. 8-13)

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