REVIEW: Klik Klik Boom #1

Slogging through packed work weeks while reading comics can be exhausting, even though it’s the only escape into another world that panels can offer. That’s why I’m early in recognizing Doug Wagner’s Klik Klik Boom as this year’s breakout hit.

With a premise reminiscent of the cult-classic heist/coming-of-age film Baby Driver, Klik Klik Boom features a young woman who dresses like she “raided Lady GAGA’s closet” and gets mistaken for Elton John while armed. I appreciate Matt Wilson’s soft color work in this book, especially since it was released during Pride Month. As a heterosexual man, I can say that this Image presentation isn’t as heavy-handed as some other books with LGBTQ central characters (especially in the Big Two), which may alienate readers like myself or those who assume the book is targeted towards a specific sexual orientation.

I don’t know Doug Wagner’s sexual identity, nor do I need to know to enjoy this book. That’s what matters to me in 2023. Wagner’s take, though reminiscent of Baby Driver, flips the script by making the protagonist a female instead of male, and mute instead of deaf. Some Dog Day Afternoon and Reservoir Dogs shenanigans occur, involving a struggling journalist named Deb Donovan, who becomes entangled in a pharmaceutical company conspiracy. It’s as captivating as my first encounter with Veidt Industries.

The main character possesses a lovable innocence, even as she retaliates against sexual assault, pulls the trigger on a senior citizen, and harasses a little girl during her birthday dinner. I applaud Doug Dabbs’ design for tapping into the fact that Western society often roots for villains as long as they possess a certain level of physical attractiveness. Given Wagner’s protagonist’s actions in just the first issue, Dabbs has undoubtedly crafted a stunning character who will dominate cosplay competitions for decades to come.

Between Local Man, Something Epic, and the recently concluded Giant Kokju, Image is having a remarkable run in 2023, surpassing all other weekly comic book releases. And with Wagner’s Klik Klik Boom, Image shows no signs of dropping the ball anytime soon.

Score:
4/5

(W) Doug Wagner (A/CA) Douglas Dabbs, Matt Wilson

by
C.V.R. The Bard