Mexicus Prime is back to writing duties here at BSR after a hiatus of spending six months on a beach in Cancun in a tiger speedo (an actually speedo made from a tiger pelt), drunk off of mojitos! A few times each month Mexicus Prime will be teaming up with another member of BSR to review a completely random comic. Top or bottom of the pile; first, last or middle issue of a story arc – literally anything he can get his hands on!
DARK HORSE COMICS
FLAMING CARROT COMICS # 25
ART & STORY: BOB BURDEN
Mexicus Prime-
Wow! What a funny comic book! Flaming Carrot Comics #25 has the same quirky comedy that can be found now-a-days in a DEADPOOL MAX (Deadpool & Hydra Bob buddy comic) title, but without the profanity or sex. From the beginning page of the book, you read about the Flaming Carrot and how he got to be a super hero (well sorta). Next you’re given a small glimpse into Raphael’s (TMNT) life studying, or rather trying to, and deciding to go out on the town to learn about “Adult Behavior”. From there on out you have a very fun, buddy-comic that may be immature to the casual reader, but really funny for those who can appreciate brainless comedy.
I didn’t mind the artwork, but I wouldn’t say it drives the story; black and white with minute details here and there. At times the bunched panels had arrows to direct the reader on where to go next – a small gripe, but again, I’d like to stress that this was very enjoyable and I’m kicking myself in the ass that I haven’t collecting these comics in the past!
Arse-bot-
I didn’t believe Mr. Prime when he first handed over issue 25 of Flaming Carrot Comics and told me that it was incredibly funny. The prior week we had stumbled upon this issue – which is a cross-over with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – and thought it looked like the dumbest thing we had ever seen. A guy with a giant flaming carrot “mask” on wearing flippers teaming up with Raphael from the TMNT?! Seriously?!
Oh how wrong we were. There are few comic books that I have read that have made me audibly lauch as I read them, Flaming Carrot Comics #25 is now on that list. The very first page explaining the Flaming Carrot’s origin story had me completely hooked:
Having read 5,000 comics in a single sitting to win a bet . . . . . This poor man suffered brain damage and appeared directly thereafter as – – – – THE FLAMING CARROT! CHAMPION OF JUSTICE! . . . MASTER OF ADVENTURE! . . . DREADNOUGHT OF CHICANERY! . . .
This cross-over adventure follows Raphael as he ventures out to find out what it means to be an adult and stumbles across the Flaming Carrot. An adventure of course ensues and Raphael ends up coming down with a case of amnesia, so the Flaming Carrot gives him a new superhero identity, The Dark Avenger – armed with toilet plungers and a utility belt made of band-aid cases sewn together. Much like Mexicus Prime, I don’t want to give too much of the plot or punch lines away, as I think this comic is at its best when you don’t know what to expect and I would hate to rob the readers of that. I assure you though, this comic book is hilarious and very much worth your time!
Burden’s art isn’t “amazing”, but his style fits this story very well in black and white. Really, if I were to name my only complaint about his style it’s that the Ninja Turtles’ eyes look perpetually closed – but that’s just a nit-picky gripe. Burden pens a story filled with humor that is both subtle and slapstick that is sure to make you laugh out loud right from the start.
Flaming Carrot Comics #25 is the first issue in a three-issue arc and both myself and Mexicus Prime encourage you to scour your local comic shop to find these issues and pick them up!