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One of the most pleasant surprises this week was Joss Whedon and Fabio Moon’s Sugarshock. The comic originally appeared on MySpace – Dark Horse Presents in three installments. The single issue collects all three space-rocking stories, as well as a sketchbook with concept designs and promotional art.

Whedon’s signature humorous dialogue is a staple throughout Sugarshock, and is vibrantly illustrated by the brilliant Fabio Moon. The story follows hyperactive singer Dandelion Nazien, and her semi-decent band L’Lihdra, Wade and Robot Phil (an actually robot bass player) as they get caught up in an intergalactic battle of the bands. Ultimately, the plot is nonsensical, but it is too fun to put down. As long as Dandelion keeps hating vikings (don’t ask why) and the voluptuous Wade keeps falling in love with groupies (though see can’t remember any of their names) that’s all that matters. The revelatory rendition of “The saddest song in the world,” a mish-mash of “Adagio for Strings,” Leonard Cohen, and the unreturned call of the last dolphin on earth, is the absurdist dada show-stopper that wins Dandelion the battle. Does the victory really matter. Not really. Sugarshock is a victory in-and-of-its self.

In 2007, Whedon fell in love with his idea for Sugarshock so much that he postponed other engagements until the script for the issue was complete. It became one of the first Dark Horse Presents stories, and eventually won the Eisner award for best web comic in 2008. Not bad for one issue so check it out.

Kissy Th’ Face!

-Jon

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