It’s been a while since I truly laughed out loud at a comic book. Sure, there’s been funny and witty stuff on the shelves, but nothing quite to the level of the The Fix #1. It’s like the best Shane Black movie you’ve never seen—a twisted and deranged crime story that is constantly taking things one step too far. You think you know where it’s headed, that you have the story pinned down, and then you meet a new character and the line becomes blurred and hazy. It’s freaking hilarious; that’s what I’m getting at here.
Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber proved they are a creative team to reckon with on the Marvel Comics hit The Superior Foes of Spider-Man. That series was irreverent, charming, bizarre, and hilarious. It seemed like two creators working unhinged and swinging for the fences—and it was, in a way. At least, it was as unhinged as you can get in a corporately owned superhero property. Turns out, Spencer and Lieber were willing to take things much, much further and The Fix proves that.
This first issue does a lot to set up the series. Shane Black’s crime comedies are indeed fair comparison; there’s a clear inspiration there and that’s not a bad thing. Spencer and Lieber manage to capture the speed, dialogue, and pacing of those movies, which is no easy task. You can hear the characters’ dialogue in your head as it leaps off the page and takes up residency in the part of your brain that controls pop culture trivia and the names of people you hated in high school. It appeals to your lowest levels and emotions, makes you gag and laugh at once. One scene in particular will change the way you look at hamburgers forever.
Spencer packs this issue with dialogue, which could easily become burdensome in a lesser book. Thankfully, the dialogue is razor sharp and hilarious, and it’s carried by the amazing structure and storytelling of Steve Lieber. Lieber stages scenes wonderfully, lifting moments far above what could have easily been a bunch of talking heads. Conversations often stretch on for pages with little to no action and Lieber keeps you engrossed and laughing. It’s funny as all hell, sure, but The Fix also happens to be expertly constructed and masterfully drawn. Lieber is a true gift to comics.
Ryan Hill provides some gorgeous color work that is never overbearing and always silky smooth. Flashbacks have a warm, reddish color palette that makes them stand out without breaking jarringly from the storytelling. Hill’s work perfectly complements Lieber’s lines, making for a visual lovemaking session for your eyes. Nic J Shaw provides awesome lettering and design, wrapping the whole package in a cinematic, smooth experience.
Describing the story contained in the first issue of The Fix is difficult, so lets just say you should buy it. Just trust us and pick it up. Seriously, you will not be disappointed; it’s sick, funny, pretty, violent, and just too damn good to skip. Look at your pull list, drop a superhero book, and pick up The Fix #1.
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IMAGE: Image Comics
