Ambush Bug #2

Before there was Deadpool there was Ambush Bug, the fourth wall destroying self-aware jokster that first appeared in DC Comics Presents as a Superman villain.  Created by Keith Giffen, Ambush Bug appeared irregularly in Superman's books including one famous encounter with the Legion of Substitute Heroes until in 1985 he got his very own mini-series.  Written by Robert Loren Fleming and drawn by Giffen I remember loving this book in 1985, so how does it hold up?  Let's see.



We begin with a film noir style description introducing Jonni DC, Continuity Cop and the never ending debate on the pronunciation of  Mr. Mxyzptlk.

 

Meanwhile....

 

And we get Ambush Bug in the shower and a gas joke.

 

The fat bald man whose ears stick out tells Bug that he's looking to hire a detective which gets the Bug's attention.

 

The man's story is one we're all familiar with, a scientist obsessed with  distilling the essence of cuteness accidentally transforms himself into a giant koala.

 

 The man wants Ambush Bug's protection  but suddenly-- incredibly--

 

 

 Yes, I know you've been waiting for a Bjorn Borg joke.

 

Yes Jonni, I'm sick of stories titled Crisis anything. 

 

Submitted without comment: R.I.P.'S

 

Jonni transforms into her super heroic form and has a few questions for the giant koala. 

 

Things aren't looking so good for Jonni and even Julie Schwartz's intervention an only do so much.   So Ambush Bug takes a lesson from Bugs Bunny.  Yep, he's in drag as a female koala.  Of course Elmer Fudd never swallowed Bugs whole.

 

AB teleports out of the koala's stomach and rides the bomb syringe delivering the antidote and saving the day.

 

A job well done, Ambush Bugs decides to grab some Micky D's only to be confronted by...

 

 So that's that.  Let's face it your tastes change a lot in 20 years and while I remember loving this book, I have to wonder what I was smoking at the time.  I mean I loved Douglas Adams then, still love him today.  There's a lot of comedy from the time that holds up, this just doesn't  I still love the idea of Jonni DC, and I think there's a good basis for a humor book here but too many of the jokes just fall flat.

 The funniest thing in the book...

Ambush Bug's guide to collecting comics.  Rule #17 In case of fire, your place is with the Collection.

 

Next time..

We're going back to 1970 and we're checking on Superman.