Skrog #1
Published and © by Comico, 1983
Title: “Boo Hoo!”
Synopsis: The wizard Scartarium sends the Boomen to capture his creation Skrog, enslaving a woman named Cue, as well.
Writer: Bill Cucinotta
Penciler: Cucinotta
Inker: Bill Anderson
Review: This is one messed up comic – and a tricky one to grade, as well. From an objective perspective, Skrog is clearly more fanzine than professional comic. But the introductory editorial insists its a “fantastic, new, professional comic book,” one “ranking right up there with the best.” Comico would go on to publish some of the best indie books of the 1980s; this is not one of those. This series’ odd mix of fantasy, horror and humor might just work if the creative team had had time to grow. But Skrog would prove to be a one and done at Comico.
Grade: D+
Second opinion: “All too often, the mainstream comics seem to foster cookie cutter writing and art styles, but the creator of Skrog spurns the typical Marvel/DC treatment for an individual, iconoclastic approach.” – Kevin McConnell, Amazing Heroes #30, Sept. 1, 1983 … “Skrog is very much a prototype Mask, with the same mixture of madcap whimsy and parody, which makes the title sound far more interesting than it is.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003
Cool factor: Fannish enthusiasm …
Not-so-cool factor: … but a professional mess.
Character quotable: “It’s plagiarism I tell you! Plagiarism!!” – Batman (Wait … what?)
Editor’s note: This review was written Feb. 26, 2025.
