By Dustin Cabeal
Attack on Bug City is a story in the upcoming anthology Colossal Chaos being published by Stache. I’m letting you know this up front because this is not a review of the entire anthology, nor do I have any plans to review the entire anthology. You can look for the anthology on Kickstarter if you’re interested in this story.
Now, on to the short story.
It’s a reversal on the giant bugs attacking the city/monster movies from the golden age of cinema. It’s clever that way. The gist is that bugs run shit now, they have their own buildings and cities and some of them even study what humans were once like. Then a monster or something attacks…
The story is a condensed version of every giant insect monster movie. All the classic trope characters are there, from the young son, a teacher that knows the key to defeating the monster and a scientist that just wants to get to their kid.
It’s an entertaining story that’s quick to read. It’s nothing too deep, but a great homage and reversal on a genre that frankly doesn’t exist anymore in cinema. I guess that should say something about movies and the education system but damned if I know what it says about either. The writing is intentionally campy, but more importantly, successfully campy. There is a difference.
The art is good. The insects are realistic and yet still mesh with the genre that’s being spoofed. The linework is scratchy, and at times the details are lost in all the extra lines, but it does add a sense of style. The human is almost too ugly. I think it would have been funnier if they looked different, but hey, it’s not my comic. The color is also bright and vibrant and matches the tone of the world and art.
It’s a quick read and entertaining, but it’s not mind blowing. I wouldn’t read it twice or ask for a sequel, but I’m glad I gave it a shot. I’m sure some classic monster movie fans will appreciate it and so if that’s you, then check out the anthology.
Score: 3/5
Attack on Bug City!
Writers: Alex Wills, Brad Hansen, Athena Stamos
Artist: Claudio Muñoz
Colorist: Matt Olson
Letterer: Eduardo Camacho