The Flintstones #2 Review

The Flintstones meet consumerism in DC’s The Flintstones #2!  What will the town of Bedrock get caught up in buying?  Why do they use animals as household appliances?  The answers and more are in the Major Spoilers review of The Flintstones #2!

THE FLINTSTONES #2
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Steve Pugh
Colorist: Chris Chuckry
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Marie Javins
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Previously in The Flintstones:  Fred Flintstone was tasked with showing the new lower class employees around Bedrock.  They weren’t impressed.

CR@P COMES TO BEDROCK

The first issue of The Flintstones had some great satire and social commentary so I was prepared for more of the same in issue two.  This issue surpassed any and all expectations.  It stars with Barney and Betty introducing Fred to television, and only gets better from there.  Since TV is new to all the citizens of Bedrock, some mistakes are made such as showing a horribly disturbing image that may be seen by young viewers.  Then, there’s crap.  And boy did I lose it when crap came up.

“In other news, people everywhere are buying things they don’t need.  It’s called “crap”, and it’s taking Bedrock by storm!”  That is the best line out of all the comic books I read this week.  The Flintstones #2 is all about consumerism and Mark Russell writes a hilarious book that hits the nail on the head.  The Flintstones find themselves overwhelmed with things they don’t need, that they’ve bought just because they’ve been told they should have it.  It gets so bad that Fred has to take on a second job selling vitamins in a pyramid scheme to afford Wilma’s buying habits.  The satire bites hard and Russell makes it seem effortless while also mixing with the Flintstone universe well.  In fact, this issue shows how the Flintstones get all the wonderful animal appliances (along with a certain pet).  Other topics are touched on like religion, and again, it’s fun and hilarious.  If anything, Russell has so many ideas that the book feels a bit scatter brained in places, but it’s an extremely minor gripe.  There is little here to dislike and I hope Mark Russell keeps up the fantastic work.

REALISM MIXED WITH THE FANTASY

Steve Pugh illustrates the book in a way that makes the Flintstones universe look realistic while also maintaining a sense of fantasy.  Fred, Barney, Wilma and Betty are all identifiable while having an updated and realistic look.  All the animals resemble the cartoon and are certainly the most wild-looking elements of the comic.  Pugh blends them into the world effortlessly.  I love the design of Pebbles as a silent and apathetic teen.  Bam Bam gets a decent and aged update as well and has a couple of shining moments.  As with the story, there isn’t much to dislike other than a few facial expressions here and there.  Barney tends to look a bit too mindless for my taste.  Overall, top-notch work and I hope Mr. Pugh stays on for a long time.

BOTTOM LINE:  BEST HANNA-BARBERA BOOK OUT

I never thought it’d be possible, but The Flintstones is the best of DC’s Hanna-Barbera revamp on the rack.  Mark Russell writes a hilarious comic with biting satire and social commentary that hits the bullseye so accurately it’s scary.  Steve Pugh draws recognizable yet modern and redesigned characters that works well.  If you’re looking for a funny and almost subversive comic about modern day, but set in the stone ages, The Flintstones is the one to read.  Highly, highly recommended!

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