Kaijus & Cowboys: Colorful and Explosive

Creative Team

writer: MATTHEW BLAIRE

artis/colorist: FRANKIE B. WASHINGTON

letterer: MIKE STOCK

The Kaijus & Cowboys series is a reminder of how comics can be fun, over the top, and carve out their own space.

After humans embark on a forced exodus from Earth, they land on a new planet full of giant monsters and have to use technology to help them survive. These mechs now operate like heroes from western tales of old as they journey and fight where they are needed.

Following the Bot with No Name—a nice nod to spaghetti westerns of the 60s—the pacing throughout this series knows how to keep readers engaged while keeping each entry fresh. Yes, there are the required battles as the series title suggests, but an element that makes this series so fun is the small ways in which the world expands over time.

Created by Matthew Blair (author), Frankie B. Washington (artist), and Mike Stock (letterer), it’s evident the team is having a good time with their creation. The series never takes itself too seriously, nor does it rely on campy storytelling. Readers should expect subtle humor in its limited dialogue and visuals along with its brawls.

The art has to do a lot of the heavy lifting as exposition and conversation aren’t abundant and it works well for a series such as this. While readers have to connect the dots a few times throughout the  5 issues released (as of this review) it is never a chore and keeps the plot moving without taking away from the action.

With its bright art, gun battles, and hefty hits, Kaijus & Cowboys is every bit as entertaining as it is bombastic. It’s eclectic colors make for dynamic moments, and its emphasis on focused world building make it incredibly accessible for readers looking for a fun story to dive into.