Monday, April 11, 2016

Dry Spell #1 Review - Just for the Hell of it Mondays



My Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard

Written and Illustrated by:Ken Krekeler

Cover Price: $0.99 on Comixology HERE

Release Date: May 28, 2014

Publisher: Action Labs Danger Zone

Review by Branden Murray @bmur3660

As I went to my tablet to get myself lost in the deep dark hole that is the Internet this week, I was looking to find something crazy. Well as usual, the Internet doesn’t let you down when it comes to crazy so with that being said, what if the ideas of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Office Space, and Heroes (back when it was good) were all put in a blender and set to "obliterate"? The end result would be this beautiful bastard of a milkshake called Dry Spell #1 written and illustrated by Ken Krekeler and published by Action Labs-Danger Zone.  I’ll do my best to sum up the mind warp that follows as spoiler free as I can and I’d also like to apologize if you now want a milkshake.  (Editor's note: I do want a milkshake...thanks alot, Branden!)

Our story starts out basic enough as we watch a newscast showing a strapping gentleman, named Apollo, saving an airplane and it’s passengers from certain doom.  We then cut to our main character Tom, most likely listening to the Weird Science podcast, on his headphones slogging through his day working at an advertising agency before taking lunch with his coworker. It’s here he mentions how he’s not much of a fan of Apollo, despite the heroic deeds he performs, and this is where the first bread crumb is dropped that Ol’ Tommy Boy might not be as boring as he wants us to believe.  


The next day, back at the Box Factory, Tom meets a gentleman in the HR department who reveals through conversation that he has discovered Tom’s secret and wants him to check a group “like them” out. In a way to keep the guy at bay, Tom reveals he used to take drugs and that he’s given up that life and just wants to be left alone.  As his day continues he arrives home to be yelled at because he forgets dryer sheets (we’ve all been there, am I right?) then mindlessly watches TV before he decides to entertain the invitation after all.
The final act is Tom at a nightclub where he meets the group he wanted to avoid at first and runs into a beautiful lady we find out is a familiar face from his past.  Shots are passed around and Tom soon discovers he was “slipped a mickey” or five hits of acid to be exact and the party really begins.  The visuals of the story from this point on takeoff and we’re treated to a Bad Boy Bill dance party for our eyeballs. Just as we start to find out Tom’s dirty laundry, the issue cuts us off and damnit Action Labs you got your fingers in my wallet again because I need to see what happens from here on out.  Well played, Krekeler!


Usually when a story is hinting at things and not telling me, it frustrates the hell out of me (hey I’m a simple man I like to just know things). In this case the story and art do a great job of using the vagueness to drive the story forward and in this case kept me reading at a breakneck pace.  I bought this in the digital format and the book almost read like an animated film as they did amazing things with the various panes and frames of each page.

Bits and Pieces:

This was a long number one issue which really sets the scene for the world you’ve entered and I can't wait to come back for more.  The entire story arc is four issues and can be found on Comixology (issue one is only 99 cents!)  I’d highly recommend it if you’re in the mood for that milkshake I mentioned previously and I promise it will be “mickey” free.  (editor's note: Don't believe him!)



8.0/10 

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