Week of 1/15/2024 (Sunday Edition)
YIKES! #4 (1995) Review
Yikes! Another tantalizing review of an obscure comic book that’s near impossible to find, yes indeed. Don’t feel too down though as you’re not missing out on much with this one (correction: upon reread, you are probably missing out).
The issue opens with Johnny Akagi, the titular biker who’s racing a bunch of other kids on the tricycle racetrack (they’re little tykes after all). Right off the bat, cartoonist Steven K. Weissman wears his influences on his sleeve which are largely derived from racing manga/anime like Speed Racer. Even to those unacquainted with that manga genre, it will be apparent due to the frequent use of kanji sound effects. To the more seasoned eye, the black-and-white contrasts and ample white space are distinctly manga-inspired. Note the emphasis on the word “inspired.” Despite Weissman’s fervent appreciation for the genre, he manifests it without emulating it to the point of artistic facsimile as he paves a unique creative identity, which is more than I can state for a lot of manga imitators throughout the 2000s to the present.
Weissman namely distinguishes himself in his thin lettering and character designs of children, who are almost chibi-like in their body proportions yet somewhat grotesquely caricaturish facial features that share more semblance with adults (or morbidly malnourished kids). While that description may sound visually offputting, in combination with the over-the-top shenanigans and stakes makes the comic pretty charming and amusing.
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