Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Haha #4 Review
    Review

    Haha #4 Review

    Matthew PetersonBy Matthew PetersonApril 22, 20213 Mins Read

    A wise clown once said: Everything floats.  Your Major Spoilers review of Haha #4 from Image Comics awaits!

    Haha #4
    You can purchase this issue via the comiXology affiliate link.

    HAHA #4

    Writer: W. Maxwell Prince
    Artist: Patrick Horvath
    Colorist: Patrick Horvath
    Letterer: Good Old Neon
    Publisher: Image Comics
    Cover Price: $3.99
    Release Date: April 21, 2021

    Previously in Haha: A wise clown once said that everything floats…

    …and he was right.

    GUSTAV IN THE WORLD OF FLOATING OBJECTS

    Haha #4 begins in a strange red void, as Gustav, a not-so-successful part clown, finds himself suspended in mid-air.  As he wonders how and why, the story returns to Chris, a young boy celebrating his 10th birthday, who witnessed the clown shrinking down and disappearing into his own helium balloon.  The story then swaps back and forth, as Chris deals with his surly grandfather, who has never been the same since his wife died, and Gustav comes to terms with his own mortality and his place in the universe.  Things get metaphysical for the lost clown, while Chris and Pawpaw find a very mundane common ground as they play together with one of the boy’s birthday presents: A kite.

    Both stories end on a very touching note.

    ODDLY POETIC

    This is a beautiful issue of comics, thanks to Horvath’s art, which manages to be down-to-Earth at the same time that it embodies a child-like clown’s imagination.  As Gustav floats through the canyons of the World of Floating Objects, the art reminds me of a child’s storybook, with soft pastels and delicate linework combining in pleasant ways.  Prince’s story even references the movie ‘UP’, a film whose tone has a lot in common with this issue, without bursting the gentle bubble of imagination and surrealism.  As someone mostly familiar with Prince’s harder-edged series, ‘Ice Cream Man’, I was surprised at the wholesome sweetness at the core of this story, as Gustav realizes that he may be a former drunk with few prospects, but he’s not a dead loss.  There are a few moments of horror to be had, but the overall tone here is gentle, uplifting and hopeful, and I’m here for it.

    BOTTOM LINE: TOUCHING AND UNCANNY ALL AT ONCE

    Haha #4 is quite wonderful in story, coloring and art, and features two tales that left me smiling, if a little bit wistful, earning 4 out of 5 stars overall.  It’s hard to do successful suspense and horror, but the kind of earnest positivity in this issue is even harder to pull off, and these creators deserve kudos for making it all work.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    HAHA #4

    83%
    83%
    Highly Recommended

    If you're only familiar with Prince's mean-spirited work on 'Ice Cream Man,' you may be surprised how sweet and uplifting this issue is.

    • Writing
      9
    • Art
      8
    • Coloring
      8
    • User Ratings (0 Votes)
      0
    Good Old Neon Haha Image Comics Patrick Horvath Review W. Maxwell Prince
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleMajor Spoilers Question of the Day: The Smartest Edition
    Next Article Champions #6 Review
    Matthew Peterson
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.

    Related Posts

    Wayne’s Comics Podcast #697: Interview with Tyler Chin-Tanner

    Read More

    The Death of the Silver Surfer #1 Review

    Read More

    Retro Review: Master Comics #11 (February 1941)

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    8.0
    June 15, 2025

    The Death of the Silver Surfer #1 Review

    4.7
    June 15, 2025

    Retro Review: Master Comics #11 (February 1941)

    9.0
    June 13, 2025

    Marvel United: A Pride Special Review

    6.3
    June 10, 2025

    X-Men #17 Review

    6.0
    June 9, 2025

    Power Rangers Prime #7 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    • Frank on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    • derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: I Want More than Good Memories!
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT