Posted in: Comics | Tagged: darick robertson, grant morrison, happy

A Rush Of Happiness – Happy #4 Review

Published Sat, 16 Feb 2013 09:00:01 -0600

Last updated Sun, 17 Feb 2013 05:36:00 -0600

Alex Wilson writes;

Happy #4 hits shelves February 20th, written by Grant Morrison and featuring the art of Darick Robertson. This Image comic is the conclusion to this short four-issue mini-series. I have to say I am disappointed that this Christmas series is finishing in the second months after Christmas.

My over all impression of this issue is that it's rushed, not taking enough time to elaborate on what is happening. Every event happens too quickly and falls a bit flat. The conclusion is satisfying though but would have been much more so right before Christmas. If this series had started earlier and was around six issues then maybe there would have been enough time to give a truly fulfilling story. It just feels like Morrison hurried the series from the beginning to finish it by Christmas but something happened so the Happy couldn't finish before Christmas and now the series is late and feels rushed.

I'll admit the dialog is great. It's witty and well written, even though the pacing is too fast. The first and second issues of this book were great fun and I enjoyed them immensely. The third issue was a bit off on pacing as well but I still enjoyed it but the conclusion of the series just doesn't flow as well as previous issues. It may be part due to the fact that so much story is packed into such a small space or the fact that I'm disappointed that a Christmas conclusion is happening in February. In this issue, another person can see imaginary friends besides Nick Sax (our main character) and it really isn't explained. More than a passing mention could have been spent on that little tidbit. We also see other imaginary friends but it's for such a short period of time. I've said this a thousand times but this series NEEDED to be longer.

The art is great. Robertson tells the story well. I don't feel lost when reading as the art helps keep the reader on track. Robertson, I have to say, is the best part of this issue. He keeps the reader on track as much as possible while minimizing the confusion with the story moving so fast.

The conclusion is moderately satisfying. The story is complete but it's an ending that was easily predictable. Everything just kind of falls together at the end in a little box in a way that isn't that surprising. The ending is coherent and understandable but not amazing.

I loved the beginning of this series but with its unbelievably short run and rushed last issue, the ending is mildly disappointing.

If you have been following this series from the beginning then you probably want to pick up the last issue just to see what happens but don't expect something that will blow you away.

If you have been looking to read the series, maybe wait for a trade or just pass. You will love the beginning but the second half of the series is just a let down.

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