Ryan North is closing in on his twenty-fifth issue milestone with this book. That may be why things have seemed to slow down the last couple months. This arc so far just doesn’t have the momentum of the ones prior. And I’m not trying to be negative; I really think that a lot of time and effort is going into the next arc. I think that this bubblegum monster has been fun to look at overall, but there is something missing. The huge bubblegum monster is taking over the minds of everyone in its path. Our heroes are still trying to escape from its clutches while trying to figure out a way to stop it. The only problem is that it moves too fast for any real defense to organized in time. Finn and Jake have finally made it to Princess Bubblegum and Marceline, but have they made it in time? No one seems to be on their side anymore. Their friends are all falling victim to the mind-controlling power of this seemingly unstoppable creature of monumental size.
Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb are still doing a great job of keeping the characters consistent and keeping their likeness as close to the show as possible. There is one particular panel that really stands out this month, and it is on the last page. I almost feel like this page could have been an advertisement for this issue. It would have made me leave the house and pick it up. I’m not a big fan of the color pink, but the bubblegum really looks about as cool as a big pink blob can look in a fairly masculine book. Well, I think it’s masculine. I mean, two dudes running around on adventures, saving the day? Rescuing princesses? I could always use more of that myself.
As for the writing, I’m didn’t feel the uncontrollable urge to laugh at Finn and Jake’s dialogue. It just doesn’t seem that funny this time. I kind of get a sense of urgency that I’m not used to feeling. Obviously I love dramatic writing, but I just don’t think that it has as much use in this series.
With as much as this series has going for it, the lack of just one of these things can bring the entire book tumbling to the ground. And this issue is definitely missing something. I urge you to give it a read and get back to me. There is definitely a discussion here. As for my final opinion, it won’t be as positive as I was expecting it to be.
Score: 3/5
Writer: Ryan North Artists: Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb Publisher: Boom Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 11/20/13