Ruben is not your average alcoholic; he's an unstoppable superhero who derives his powers from imbibing MASSIVE amounts of alcohol. After all the disasters it's caused in his personal life, he's ready to get clean . . . and the city's supervillains couldn't be happier!
That part is not clear at the moment but there are bread crumbs that could go down either path. Geoff Shaw's artwork produces a cartoony vibe that is filled with great emotion. Facial expressions from Ruben and other characters augment certain scenes that deliver the desired result. The story gets better and better with each turn of the pages as each new development makes the book even more intriguing. This is one of the best single issues of the year. I hope the rest of the series will be just as good because the bar has been set extremely high. Read Full Review
Buzzkill is a must-buy this week! The story is strong, the art beautiful and it's off to a tremendous start. Dark Horse has a gem here and you would be missing out if you don't pick this title up. This book has so much potential it's scary. Yes, it's that good. Read Full Review
If you're looking for something different from the norm, this is a meaningful attempt to talk about alcoholism that doesn't commit the cardinal sin of being preachy. There's even some over-the-top violent imagery accentuated with a few subtler touches in the artwork that add to the overall appeal of the story. These factors make Buzzkill a fantastic first issue that you should not pass up. Unlike the copious amounts of alcohol... Read Full Review
Ultimately, this self-awareness is what sets "Buzzkill" #1 apart from the pack. It hits all the same moments as any other debut issue, but it knows where to spend time and where to move quickly and let those of us who've read a thousand such issues in our lifetimes fill in the blanks. So it never gets bogged down telling the same story as all those other comics; instead, the innovations, no matter how head-slappingly obvious, have all the room they need. Read Full Review
Provided it avoids glamourizing or decrying substance abuse and stays lockstep with this cursed character's quest for control, Buzzkill could be the mini of the year and still leave enough meat on the bone for a return series. Fingers crossed! Read Full Review
This is a concept that could easily have gone awry, but what Cates, Reznicek and Shaw put forth here is polished and confident, balancing dark themes with a well-developed sense of fun. Putting an innovative twist on the burnt-out superhero trope, and laying it all out with energetic art and deft writing, this is an accomplished introduction to a high-concept series. So far as habits go, "Buzzkill" should be well worth picking up. Read Full Review
Despite that hiccup, Buzzkill is a very appealing book. It's honest and humane, and has a bit of a dark edge that never crosses over into the crass or the dour. It seeks to deconstruct external realities rather than a fictional genre, and for that it seems the creators learned the right lessons from Watchmen. For the genre, it's not a deconstruction, but a return to first principles of the things that make the genre endure. Time will tell if Buzzkill is worthy of entry into "the canon," but for now it's a smart, good looking comic book that you should probably check out. Read Full Review
This book was basically a huge cliffhanger. I'm very much looking forward to next month's issue to find out a host of things: what is "Ruben's" real name? What has he done in his past to make Nikki hate him? What has he done as a hero? And the list goes on. This is an incredibly refreshing take on a genre that I normally don't enjoy; Buzzkill proves to be a superhero story I can't wait to read more of. Read Full Review
Buy this book when the trade comes out. I can't recommend it enough. It's sure to be on a lot of 2013 Best Of lists. It's a superhero story without the pomp and circumstance; gritty, funny and moving. There are more stories to be told in this world, so I hope we get to revisit these characters. Read Full Review
The front cover of Buzzkill has a quote from Mark Waid saying, "God, I wish I'd thought of this." That's a hell of an endorsement and so far, it's kind of book that'll make you say that. The art is engaging and visually stimulating. The writing has kept everything pretty simple and straightforward while still allowing room for twists and some unanswered questions. Cates and company's first issue is a good reminder that sometimes less is more especially when remixing a genre that many believe has been done to death. Read Full Review
The story's third act delivers impressively well. The issue expands quickly from its character focused confession to a much larger world. It does not require anything massive in terms of its plot events. However, Buzzkill confirms in its conclusion that this is a series with a great deal of control and craft shaping it. The creative team work together to present a fantastic first issue and readers will think they have a handle on the world, only to be fooled and left yearning for more stories. Read Full Review
With its unique look at the effects of alcoholism through a superhero lens, Dark Horse's Buzzkill is anything but. Read Full Review
Highly recommended for people who like superhero stories a little away from the same-old, same-old beat-em-up spandex melodrama! Read Full Review
Buzzkill reads like every bit of the "love letter to superheroes" Donny Cates desired, how it deals with addiction will determine how long I'm on-board for. Read Full Review
By the end of the issue Cates and Shaw should have you hook, line, and sinker. Buzzkill manages to be fun, entertaining, and oddly dark. If youre looking for a wildly original take on the superhero genre look no further. This is as good as it gets. Read Full Review
As a sober comics reader this comic spoke to me far more than I expected, freakin great comic! Very excited to see where it goes from here.
For those of you non-sober types, don't worry, it's not a lecture or a lesson, just a great comic story with a very clever hook!
Loving this book. How’d I miss it?
Great concept! Nice art and great characterization with a sharp sense of humour.
- For additional ratings and previews of this issue, visit my blog at Images Unplugged