Set Emoccordions to Stun
Overall I really enjoyed reading through this book. It has something for everyone and requires very little prior understanding of the characters / eluded to story arcs within. What I will do with this review is walk-through each of the stories (or break points) in the book. For each, I will provide a blurb on my thoughts/feelings as well as a "Notable Quotable/Reference" section identifying what I found amusing enough to stand out.
enJOY!
Emoccordion Frame Story Prologue
I really thought that the Marvel "Wy-If" shorts did a better job of framing the "action" in this book, but it was interesting to see Psycho-Man step through the 4th wall. Notable Quotable/Reference: a-to-z logo on his delivery.
Chapter 43: The Agenda Objective Domination Symposium of Blood
Though formed like a recap introduction page we are all used to by now, this one page is 100% filler to ensure we get the point that this book is all about parody and spoofing. Notable Quotable/Reference: Nothing really quote worthy here...
The Last Attack
Well done. It was nice to see an exploit of the fact that villains never really "accidentally" overbook their world takeovers. Notable Quotable/Reference: "I shall go polish mine hammer." and of course the energy saving lightbulb depicted for Dormammu' idea.
This Man. This Misprint
Very funny Marvel "Wy-If" short and another world eating spoof with Galactus. This time Hunan Torch was spicing things up. Notable Quotable/Reference: "Sorry...That was totally racist of me."
Unholy Reunion
This one dragged on a bit for me, but was still fun to read through. It was nice to see the role reversal between the Thing and Mr. Fantastic. Notable Quotable/Reference: Mr. Fantastic's name tag. Simply lol-able.
U-Nighted Health Services
Not as good as the first Marvel "Wy-If", but still witty and full of parody goodness. Notable Quotable/Reference: "It burns when I pee." and "I can't break my solemn cosmic oath not to give a rats ass."
N.O. M.O.R.E. N.E.R.D.S.
E.X.C.E.L.L.E.N.T! Seriously. I thought this was well thought out and very well done. I love when writers don't take themselves too seriously and are able to sit back and realize that years and years of following the same formula *may* be noticeable to readers. Notable Quotable/Reference: "DOTS!" and "Even I can see this crossover should have ended three issues ago!"
Hacks of Vengeance
Not my favorite Marvel "Wy-If" short. Maybe there were too many word bubbles and side-notes. It also seemed like it was trying too hard. Oh well. Notable Quotable/Reference: Ageless Wolverine in the "Early Bird Avengers".
Marvelous
Nice magazine spoof. I completely missed what is the fake cover of this magazine, assuming it was a Marvel ad. The actual content was pretty entertaining. Notable Quotable/Reference: My favorite "Ask the Marvels" bit was "Mystique Says:", which ended nice and gruesome (a first for the book as a whole). I thought the "Ghost Says:" bit was going to be my favorite, until I attempted to decipher the binary in the last panel. Apparently, 0000111010110101010101010010010001010101001 = "µU$U" I guess I am not geek enough to understand the translation. :(
God Loves, Man Farts
Nice line of thinking in this Marvel "Wy-If" short. Seriously. Why are there no ill effects to super-human powers? Everything else we do seems to have consequence, why not healing factor. Notable Quotable/Reference: "Its my 'Invisible Claw!'"
Triple Z
It lived up to its name. Sorry, while some of the story was amusing, I couldn't stay interested. It is possibly due to the different form factor of this story - it reading like a book and all - but even the art wasn't to my liking. I really was hoping that someone would slip in a "Inception" reference, but that expectation was foiled as well. Notable Quotable/Reference: Magento's "real name" and the fact that the title of the story, explained my reaction - spot on.
I Hate Peter Parker.
Fun perspective on the life of a concealed identity super-hero. I also liked the use of the diary was used as the "though bubble" mechanism. Notable Quotable/Reference: I do have to wonder, at the end, what do you think she thought was actually on her diary?
Abes of Future Past
A clever Marvel "Wy-If" short of a parody of a parody of a mixed metaphor. Notable Quotable/Reference: "How would you like to get into the car of a smooth-talking stranger wit ha mustache?"
Emoccordion Frame Story Epilogue
With the fourth wall completely busted, this book ends where it began - with Psycho-Man and his Emoccordion. At least they had it right, the device's "AWE" button does not work. I spent more time shaking my head than in astonishment. Notable Quotable/Reference: Psycho-Man's tech-support experience... Maybe the first troubleshooting step during his support call should have been to swap the labels around on the device.
