In case anybody wonders if I go back and read my old reviews to get caught up on an ongoing series that I’m reviewing: I absolutely do. Is that a cheat? Would it be better if I went back and read the previous issues again before each review? Absolutely! Just as soon as that benevolent billionaire first exists and then gives me a pile of money to quit my job, I pledge to do just that. Until then, this is the best I can do. Look, I’m stalling a bit because I’m here reviewing the fifth and final issue of a series that I adored, and I don’t know the combination of words that I could type that would convince people to check out this series who haven’t done so already. It’s Karl at the absolute top of his game, and if you’ve read any of his other series you’ll know what a claim that is. It’ll make you look at whatever city you’re in in a new light; during my trip to Columbus for Cartoon Crossroads I spent hours just walking the city streets (something I never really did when I lived there), taking it all in and observing all of the subtle and barely noticeable sights. Do you want details? Sure, I can do that. Things start off with a sprawling view of the city, really encouraging the reader to take it in (and, I’ll bet, remember some things themselves if they’re familiar with the city). Then we get our heroes having a conversation in a bar while an unhoused man rants outside, eventually throwing a rock through the window. At them? I don’t think so, but it does take forever to get all of the glass out of your hair. Then we get more time in the city, running into old friends in the street, debating over what makes a pub a pub, telling (and hearing) old stories, finding a new addition to the men’s room, before Karl makes a turn down the wrong alley and gets sucker punched. This is another reminder to stay on good terms with the local weirdos, as one of them is able to help him out before things get too bad. This leads to them needing to spend a little time outside of the city to recover, which is maybe illegal in a comic with that title? But it’s handled wonderfully, and that’s the end of me describing things about this comic, even though nothing I could say would really lessen the experience of taking a city in that’s chock full of details like this. I will say that we do get some quality Oola time, including a full page of Oola’s release after a long time spent in a cat carrier (something everybody with a cat can relate to, and damned near photo realistic). I’m fascinated to see what he comes up with next, and while getting the eventual collected edition of this has my highest recommendation, maybe get an issue or two as well. Even with the occasional violence, this series is thoroughly calming for me. Check this out already! $18
