Preview: Madballs #3

Looks like the verdict is in on what their children’s editor refers to as, “my ridiculous Madballs project” — everyone digs it! This mish-mosh of gross-out gags and bonkers art comics creativity has been hailed as, “pretty brilliant,” “gross-yet-funny,” “surprisingly innovative,” “hokey,” “glorious” (they must have been reviewing a different comic), and even, “I have no idea what’s going on.” (That’s more like it!)

As this mad science experiment rolls into its penultimate chapter next week, we have the Madballs stranded in deep space with no choice but to (gasp!) actually team up to defeat the defending champions in a qualifying match for the Bizarro Bowl. This is their only chance to take out their headless arch-enemy Torsoids, but first they have to go through the huggably cute Hairballs. Things are bound to get sentimental, at least once the training montage is over. (Yes, this issue has a training montage.)

MADBALLS is one of those rare nostalgic children’s series that genuinely appeals both to adults who remember it and kids today who’ve never heard of it (or have very cool parents willing to share). The main story by Brad McGinty (Adventure Time) and Brian Smith (Stuff of Legend) is vibrantly mesmerizing, full of third-grade jokes and subtle commentary. Backup stories (and variant covers) by Jenny Zych and Matt Crabe complete a fun package that reminds you what licensed comics can do when you let creators run wild.

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