Monday, December 08, 2008

Sir Apropos of Nothing gives you every reason to read!


Heroes are usually strong, honorable sorts, but how much more interesting is the man that blunders into trouble, manages to succeed by pure luck, and is crowned a hero?
Peter David's eponymous star Sir Apropos of Nothing is just this sort of reluctant hero and we in the audience can revel in the cringe-worthy moments, because we know Sir Apropos will turn it around...eventually.
Before I go any further, I must confess to being a Peter David fan. His name above the title -- be it comics or novels -- will ensure that I'll pick it up and give it a try. The Sir Apropos of Nothing novels are one of David's success stories. The story provided the perfect venue for David's off-beat sense of humor and gave him a playground for his skillful wordplay. When the publishers said they didn't want another Apropos tale, despite keeping the first three titles in print, David decided to take his hero into a new medium. Sir Apropos of Nothing is finding new life in comics and while these are new stories starting after the book series, comics readers can pick up right where David drops them -- in a desert where Apropos is riding a horse with no name. A horse he stole while the original rider's pants were down. Apropos says the horse probably has a name "but since it didn't ask me mine, I saw no reason to inquire after its." Apropos successfully escapes defeat twice in this issue alone, but there's a certain man in black who is not going to be happy with Apropos's treatment of his dark tower.
Seeing Apropos for the first time through the art of Robin Riggs is a real treat. Riggs' art realistically brings Apropos and his world to life, which provides an excellent foil for the sometimes ridiculous circumstances Apropos finds himself in. The first issue is colored in pastel pinks and blues, a washed out landscape fitting for the desert setting. Apropos is an attractive bloke, whose good looks are tempered by his crippled leg. He starts the issue with his trusty staff with a secret in its tip (double entendre intended), a sword on his back, and a treasure map, which is all Apropos needs to have an adventure.
Fans of the novels will celebrate to have more tales of their hapless hero while the comic should draw in a new fan base. Why not give Apropos a try while the first issue is Four Color Fantasies Book of the Week? (Plus, if you like it, issue 2 also is on the stands.)

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