Comic Book Review:James Kochalka's Superf*ckers

Superf*ckers by James Kochalka (Top Shelf) $14.95
Collects Superf*ckers #1-4, Jack Krak #1

Superf*ckers is not for the faint of heart. That might seem obvious considering the title of the book and writer/artist James Kochalka's previous work, but going in you should know that this book is full of violence, imaginative strings of swear words, drug use and vulgar displays involving genitalia. If none of that bothers you, definitely give Superf*ckers a look because it really is a fun, immature ride through the world of superheroes without the censorship involved in modern day superhero books.

Superf*ckers is full of teenagers with powers doing what teenagers probably would do if they had super powers: hooking up, finding new ways to get high off of slime and paint chips, getting into fights, calling each other names and doing just about everything aside from being heroic in any possible way.

Kochalka's art is disarmingly simple and cartoony. Just flipping through the book, you might think this to be your average comic aimed at kids. Well, until you get to a page with one character urinating on another. He does an amazing job of portraying a wide array of emotions and expressions even while drawing a sequence where one wannabe hero praises another for getting peed on by Superf*ckers leader Jack Krak.

I would also warn you not to go in expecting a completely linear story. Characters appear and disappear seemingly at random and keep changing costumes. But, hey, this isn't your traditional comic.

All that being said, I recommend checking this book out if you're a superhero fan with a sense of humor looking to sneak into the indie comics world or an indie comics fan who likes seeing superhero comics skewed.