Boy, it seems like it’s been weeks since the last issue of The Muppet Show Comic Book was in stores! It’s a good thing the sixth issue came about when it did, or else I’d be sending a series of strongly worded letters to my local comic shop. And by “strongly worded,” I mean they’ll be written on bricks, and subsequently thrown through their windows. Yeah, I take this stuff seriously.
This issue marks the third part of the “Family Reunion” storyline, and while we previously saw the inclusion of Scooter’s unnamed sister and Miss Piggy’s simpleton nephews, the relative in this issue isn’t quite so obvious. The two covers both feature Kermit’s nephew Robin, so I naturally assumed we’d be seeing someone related to him (aside from Kermit). Perhaps Robin’s father and Kermit’s brother? My longshot was shot down, because I was wrong. Dead wrong.
Of course, I won’t tell you who the mystery relative is. Because seriously, where’s the fun in that?
What I can tell you is that Statler and Waldorf are still cranky deities, Robin and Skeeter are panicking about the prospect of Robin being sent to an orphanage, some lady with wonky eyes is hanging around backstage, and there is an unexplained box of fake legs. Seriously, if that ain’t enough to whet your whistle, then maybe your whistle is whet resistant. No, I don’t know what I mean by that either.
Once again, the artistic duties are being handled by the almost painfully talented Amy Mebberson, who continues to knock every panel out of the park. Her Robin in particular is very well done. Robin is a tough character to get right, since he’s so small, unassuming, and neckless. Some artists in the past have made him a little too much like a miniature Kermit or, worse yet, just a short generic frog who everyone calls “Robin”. Mebberson manages to give the miniature amphibian a whole range of emotions, with both pathos and humor, and still manages to make him look like the puppet. Well done, Amy!
Roger Langridge’s fingerprints are all over this issue too (and they should be, since he wrote it), as the story contains several of his trademark songs-in-a-comic-book, including the Electric Mayhem, Kermit and his banjo, and the entertainingly pathetic Wayne and Wanda. To offplay the music (or lack thereof?), there are two scenes with no dialog at all, featuring Gonzo as an Egyptian king and an all-mime presentation of Death of a Salesman by the Frog Scouts. Add the customary Pigs in Space sketch, and baby, you’ve got a stew going!
And now we only have one issue left in the “Family Reunion” storyline. Who’s family member will be making an appearance next month? Fozzie’s ma? Gonzo’s alien brothers? Uncle Deadly’s uncle? I suppose we’ll find out in another four weeks, so stay tuned! (Not that you have any choice in the matter.)
The Muppet Show Comic Book #6 is now available at your local comic book store!
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by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com
