Sir Apropos of Nothing
Issue: #2
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Robin Riggs
32 pp. IDW Publishing. $3.99
Reviewed by Paul Stotts
“I’ve met many a man who exists with no brain, but have yet to encounter one who can survive headless.”—Peter David, Sir Apropos of Nothing #2
The first issue of Peter David and Robin Riggs’ new fantasy series Sir Apropos of Nothing was a pleasant surprise. Normally I don’t read much comedic fantasy, so the series has been a reminder of how enjoyable good comedic fantasy can be. Filled with rare laugh-out-loud moments, Sir Apropos of Nothing is a joy, snarky and sarcastic and just downright fun.
The most delightful aspect of Sir Apropos of Nothing is Sir Apropos himself, an anti-hero who has gleefully embraced his inner asshole-ness; his only concern is saving his own skin. If he helps anyone, it’s purely a consequence of him helping himself. Selfless, he is not. If he stumbles across a damsel-in-distress, he’s likely to leave her to the slavering monster, thus buying himself more time to escape. This subversion of the typical fantasy cliché is what makes the character so engaging; he’s bad and he doesn’t care. He’s an anti-hero in the strictest literal sense.
Most of the comedy arises out of literary allusions writer Peter David has worked into the storyline. These literary references are liberally sprinkled throughout the narrative, making the series reminiscent of John Myers Myers’ classic novel “Silverlock.” However unlike Myers’ novel, having read the entire English literature canon is not necessary to understand most of the allusions in Sir Apropos of Nothing.
In the debut issue, David took some well-placed shots at Stephen King’s Dark Tower saga, while the current issue riffs on “The Wizard of Oz” and the story of Chicken Little. Make no mistake this is not high-brow stuff here. It’s juvenile, filled with bad puns and stupid little jokes, a fantasy with its tongue placed firmly in-cheek. Those who seek the warm embrace of unconsciousness at the merest sight of comedic stupidity will want to put Sir Apropos of Nothing on their ignore list. However Sir Apropos’s obnoxious behavior serves as a fitting adult counterpoint to the juvenile humor, ultimately creating an interesting and fun fantasy concoction. It’s a fruit punch bowl spiked with a healthy dose of alcohol.
Above all else, Sir Apropos of Nothing is pure, fun entertainment, if only for the kick in the groin it gives to fantasy literature that takes itself too seriously.
Final Grade: 84 out of 100
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Comic Break: Sir Apropos of Nothing #1 (IDW Publishing)
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