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leeshajoy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
The Thrilling Adventure Hour is a graphic novel based on the live show and podcast of the same name at Maximum Fun. Throughout the book, it's stated that you don't need to be familiar with the podcast in order to enjoy the graphic novel. I'm not currently a fan, so I decided to take the challenge.
The graphic novel features many different stories. All featuring outlandish heroes in strange situations. There is a robot cowboy marshall on Mars, a heavily drinking couple, ala Nick and Nora Charles, who act like a couple of 1930s ghostbusters, and there are time travelers like Amelia Earhart (who becomes a pirate captain).
It's all in the high adventure fashion, with lots of nods and winks. It's got a great retro feel. Many of the stories feel like old pulp stories, serial films or radio dramas. I think this is on purpose. It also turns out that a few of the stories in the book are based on regular sketches on the podcast and live show, and as a newcomer, I am intrigued enough to check out the podcast. I didn't feel lost in reading this. I enjoyed the stories, and the hilarious fake ads throughout the book.
The graphic novel features many different stories. All featuring outlandish heroes in strange situations. There is a robot cowboy marshall on Mars, a heavily drinking couple, ala Nick and Nora Charles, who act like a couple of 1930s ghostbusters, and there are time travelers like Amelia Earhart (who becomes a pirate captain).
It's all in the high adventure fashion, with lots of nods and winks. It's got a great retro feel. Many of the stories feel like old pulp stories, serial films or radio dramas. I think this is on purpose. It also turns out that a few of the stories in the book are based on regular sketches on the podcast and live show, and as a newcomer, I am intrigued enough to check out the podcast. I didn't feel lost in reading this. I enjoyed the stories, and the hilarious fake ads throughout the book.
ethanreadsb00ks's review against another edition
4.0
Could properly hear the vast majority of the character voices when I was reading them, even the ones I hadn't in the podcast. really enjoyable
cortjstr's review against another edition
4.0
A fun tie-in if you're familiar with the podcast. I'm not sure how much a non-fan would get from it as I think it requires a lot of reading in the characters' voices and knowledge of the tropes (e.g. The Red Plains Rider's theme song being her name repeated 3 times).
I didn't care for the character design of Captain Laserbeam very much but on the whole it was interesting to see the characters for once.
I didn't care for the character design of Captain Laserbeam very much but on the whole it was interesting to see the characters for once.
deedeethebumblebee's review
4.0
Ahhh this was just lovely. I've been listening to Beyond Belief pretty much exclusively lately and when I found out there were comics I just had to find a way to get them. The art style fits these characters perfectly and the stories are also wonderful. It was adorable to see how these two met, and their ping-pong dialogue was captured quite well in the comic (something that isn't an easy feat when you don't have Paul F. Tompkins and Paget Brewster talking in your ear, I imagine). I hope to read the next one soon. <3
paladintodd's review against another edition
4.0
A fun read, but if you're not already familiar with the podcast not sure you'd really get it. Certainly not as good as the podcast, but we don't have that anymore.
archipeligo's review against another edition
4.0
I liked reading this comic, but mostly because I'm a big fan of the podcast. If you are not listening to the podcast, you are missing so much, not just when it comes to enjoying the comic, but when it comes to enjoying life!
abmgw's review against another edition
4.0
Schwach angefangen, später aber viel schönes dabei. Man-killing man killers killed by maan killer killing man. Captain Dad. Mathemathikschurken.
eoghann's review against another edition
3.0
So in origin The Thrilling Adventure Hour is a stage show that turned into a podcast that has now spawned this graphic novel. And the concept it simple enough. It's a pastiche of Olde Timey radio shows played pretty heavily for laughs.
There's a series of skits each with their own characters (though some overlap) and all playing on that radio serial vibe. Complete with phoney adverts that fit the time period.
Here in the graphic novel Acker and Blacker are trying to achieve the same thing. But without the voice cast, it's that much more difficult.
They're working from the same template though right down to the fake adverts. Though I think they may have gone a bit overboard with that particular joke.
How well this is going to work may depend on your familiarity with the original material. It probably helps if you at least have seen the Flash Gordon movie and have some idea of the style you're getting. The more familiar you are, the more you are likely to see that will appeal.
It's an anthology series so we get different characters, locations and time periods. We also get different artwork with each story which is jarring if you read them back to back.
But honestly you'd be better off not reading them that way. I noticed after a while it was all starting to feel a bit samey. Like retreads of the same joke again and again. Taking a break between strips helps a lot.
So if you're a fan of the show/podcast you should get your hands on this. If you are familiar with the source material, I think you'll enjoy it too. But pace yourself when reading.
There's a series of skits each with their own characters (though some overlap) and all playing on that radio serial vibe. Complete with phoney adverts that fit the time period.
Here in the graphic novel Acker and Blacker are trying to achieve the same thing. But without the voice cast, it's that much more difficult.
They're working from the same template though right down to the fake adverts. Though I think they may have gone a bit overboard with that particular joke.
How well this is going to work may depend on your familiarity with the original material. It probably helps if you at least have seen the Flash Gordon movie and have some idea of the style you're getting. The more familiar you are, the more you are likely to see that will appeal.
It's an anthology series so we get different characters, locations and time periods. We also get different artwork with each story which is jarring if you read them back to back.
But honestly you'd be better off not reading them that way. I noticed after a while it was all starting to feel a bit samey. Like retreads of the same joke again and again. Taking a break between strips helps a lot.
So if you're a fan of the show/podcast you should get your hands on this. If you are familiar with the source material, I think you'll enjoy it too. But pace yourself when reading.