[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Scott Gross, Mark McKain, Sam Agro
Artists: Scott Gross, Howard Simpson, Mike DeCarlo, Walter Carzon, Ruben Torreiro
Colors: Dave Tanguay
Letters: Gabriela Downie, Ryan Cline, Rob Leigh
Summary
Bugs Bunny plays a modern day Robin Hood when Elmer Fudd finally sees his ship come in with his retirement investment. However, Bugs lays claim to the fortune as he is an underground squatter in Fudd’s yard and takes Elmer to court for his fair share. Helga serves as bailiff, and Yosemite Sam is the judge in this one-sided caper in “Wich on Paper”. Then, in “Bad News Cat”, Sylvester and his son work to gain an interview with the President while trying to run with him in a marathon, attend a baseball game, and finally a political document signing….is this really the President or a Fake News event? Finally, Helga the witch is on holiday in “Set a Spell”, but is it really a relaxing vacation with Bertie and Hubie around?
Positives
Writers Gross, McCain, and Agro hit a home run in providing three tales of social commentary to devoted Looney Tunes readers. In a Bull Market, Elmer makes his retirement nest egg, but as any grey cloud works, Bugs and Yosemite Sam serve as the antagonist that take it all away. Bugs, representing himself, touches on all pop culture from the OJ Simpson Trial to a rowdy game of Clue. Satire is what Bugs is known for and Scott Gross delivers in this tale. In a manufactured news bit, Mark McCain leads Sylvester and his son on a wild goose chase where only one of the journalists has a clue about who their interviewee really is. Sylvester represents the assumptions made by news media and his son represents the “just the facts ma’am” side of the news. Perfect satire! Finally, Helga has to take on the psychological antics of Bertie and Hubie, but the witch gets the last laugh when she makes them her cabana boys after a tortuous afternoon on the beach. However, those polite gophers Mac and Tosh show up in the last frame to let us know just because the reader is done, the torture of the afternoon is just beginning again!
Negatives
There are none in this issue as the main man has returned…Bugs Bunny!
Verdict
Again, Great stories, Great art, and always, the lighter side of Saturday morning cartoons that an older generation yearns for. But in this issue, there is plenty of satire for the readers and great commentary on today’s society. Right when we need to take a step back and look at things through a different lense, Looney Tunes delivers! This issue is a bit high brow for youngsters, but the art is phenomenal to keep them engaged.
