HERO HOURLY #1 (of 3)
“” (24 pages) [no ads]
Created by: James Patrick
Writer: James Patrick
Pencils & Inks: Carlos Trigo
Colorist: Alex Sollazzo
Letterer: E.T. Dollman
Graphic Design: Mark Foley & Devin Wysni
Publisher: 21 Pulp
Cover Price: $3.99
“Workin’ 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin’ ”. Dolly Parton’s words will forever ring true. When you’re down on your luck and nothing decent comes your way, try your hand at super-heroics!! That’s exactly what Saul Smirkanski signs up for once he’s exhausted all other options. The ambitious young fellow has been living in dreamland. Time to burst his bubble and experience the real world!
Let me to turn back the clock. Saul soon learns that top marks and an official piece of paper do not suffice. He has to trudge through menial jobs due to the ever-shifting economy. The man with a penchant for self-gratification has to share space with roommates from hell. Things go into a tailspin when a job interview for a trading company has the most random of occurrences. The country officially enters a recession.
Saul has to eke an existence. Paying the bills and feeding yourself are important matters. The hell that is telemarketing allows him to have an epiphany. There has to be something better. Bad Uncle Doug comes to his rescue. There’s an opening at Hero Hourly. Might as well take a crack at it. The glitz and glamour are quickly dispelled when his supervisor Mark informs him that it is like any other employment. On top of that, the costume is actually a uniform and company property. Saul has one month probation to learn the ropes. Otherwise, it’s bye-bye birdie.
Training day proves disastrous. Saul’s mentor is a boorish oaf – a has-been football star. Rule number one: forget the handbook! This contradicts Mark’s recommendation.
Saul’s hesitation prevents him from foiling a bank robbery. Deflecting bullets becomes standard fare. A falling flaming plane proves difficult in landing until Gabe takes over. His heroics are hailed in the media. His ultimate reward? A two-for-one coupon at a Chinese buffet restaurant. On a happier note, Saul is officially hired.
Everything’s coming up roses for a guy that was washed-out. We all know that the universe has to maintain its balance. Shortly after gaining his gig, HH undergoes a corporate takeover. Gabe has been let go. The same applies to Mark. HH is now Clints. The culprit responsible is a villain going by the lame name The Foreclosure! Cue: dastardly laugh.
21 Pulp is the freshest face of publishing companies. Pleased to meet you!!
James Patrick launched a Kickstarter campaign in February of this year and managed to meet his goal in one month’s time. Based on the research I’ve done, I’ll safely state that he and Leith Stetson are the faces behind the name. Just like another indie book I reviewed last book, the financial backers were privy to exclusive digital copies. Makes sense to me! Why not reward those that have faith in your product? The last update on the site was September. The first issue was complete. Early reviews were posted. Fast forward two months later and the rest of North America gets to flip through the pages.
The Almighty Dollar hangs over our heads whether we like to acknowledge that or not. There is more to life than working. However, capitalism and consumerism make it extremely hard to simply sit back and lounge. Every walk in life is a significant part of society. Having an exclusive education means little in today’s workforce. Diplomas will not guarantee you a cushy compensated career. Saul gets an ‘A’ for enthusiasm but karma is a harsh mistress and likes to bite people in the butt.
The satirical slant touches upon the difficulties of living in the land of opportunity in 2015. No one is safe from downsizing. No one!! You may be a rookie or a seasoned veteran. Cuts will be made where the big wigs deem them necessary. The outrageousness of super-heroics is emphasized in this title. Seriously: a handbook for how to pose, fly, and speak?? Pshaw!
I forgot to throw in a disclaimer at the beginning. This book is rated mature. There are plenty of things I dare not mention on this family-friendly site. I did throw in something in the second paragraph 😉 Lack of respect is a neighborhood block – Saul looks down on those beneath his station but that outlook is returned tenfold! James Patrick drops a lot of F-bombs and alludes to sleazier content but it’s all in context. I pity Saul for having to put up with co-habitants that mooch off his cable, food, and finances. After flipping back a few times, I realize that Uncle Doug was the super-hero flying by Saul’s apartment window!!
Carlos Trigo accentuates the absurdity. The art is purposely cartoony. Saul is no looker but he sure has a high opinion of himself and that was before he donned a cape and costume! Due to the adult content, I can’t comment on the lunch/dinner scene but it’s a real hoot. Anyone can be a superstar. That being said, there are no buff bods with washboard abs. Some of the women are objectified and not treated with the utmost respect but others are plain Janes.
Alex Sollazzo adds much depth to all the pencils. He smartly adds blue to the all-black components of the costume, just like in the days of old. This technique prevents clashing and/or blending into the background. The yellow is mustard-like. This makes it easier on the eyes. I will even go as far to say that this deliberately downplays the flashiness of the costume for realism.
E.T. Dollman has crafted an interesting font. It’s higher and thinner than the standard depictions. He is to be commended for the handbook entries and the newspaper article. Meticulously perfect!!
All in all, just another day in paradise. The worst is yet to come! When will Saul’s time run out?? Stay tuned!! I give this book a bit less than the proposed minimum wage – $7.00 per hour.
Thanks to my local comic shop for providing me with this book 🙂
