Gerard Way, Jon Rivera, Michael Avon Oeming & Tom Scioli’s Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1 is a Kirby-Infused Delight

Writers: Gerard Way, Jon Rivera
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Colorist: Nick Filardi
Back-Up Feature Writer/Artist: Tom Scioli
Publisher: Young Animal/ DC Comics
Release Date: October 19, 2016

Do you like Kirby-esque fun? Then the comic of the year has arrived.

Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye not only possesses the best title of any comic in recent memory—the third launch of Gerard Way’s Young Animal imprint is one of the wildest and most inventive comics in years. Writers Way and Jon Rivera and artist Michael Avon Oeming have cooked up a ripping yarn that’s gorgeous as only comics can be.

Spelunker Cave Carson (somehow not named by alliteration-loving Stan Lee) has been a DC character since 1960—he was a spin-off of Jack Kirby creation Challengers of the Unknown—but don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of him. Carson’s cave-centric adventures were even more obscure than those of private detective Slam Bradley (who, in a perfect world, would be next up for a revival). In this new series, Carson is reeling from the death of his wife, Eileen, and struggling to raise his daughter, Chloe. Plus, he has a cybernetic eye, which isn’t always as helpful as you would think. He has no idea how or why he has the eye—or what some creepy aliens might have to do with it. The series strikes a remarkable balance between mystery, absurdity, adventure and emotion.

Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1 Interior Art by Michael Avon Oeming & Nick Filardi

If you’ve ever read Powers, you know Oeming is a master cartoonist, much like Darwyn Cooke and Marcos Martin. His storytelling chops are equally impressive at showing Cave’s sorrow as a widower and his terror when confronted with a tentacled monster. Colorist Nick Filardi is a crucial partner here, giving a faded quality to Chloe’s videos of her childhood and a psychedelic vibe to Carson’s cybernetic visions or readings (or whatever they are). This comic looks fresh and clean and timeless, like a lost classic.

Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1 Interior Art by Michael Avon Oeming & Nick Filardi

The backup story is a return to DC’s kid-oriented Super Powers action-figure brand, written and illustrated by Tom Scioli, a longtime Kirby disciple whose American Barbarian and Transformers vs. G.I. Joe transcend Kirby tribute, passing into a further realm of the cosmos. The first installment features a ridiculous (in a good way) origin for the Wonder Twins, plus Gotham under siege by Joketroopers. How will Batgirl and “Supercop ‘Gentleman’ Jim Gordon” deal? Tune into the next episode, unless you hate fun and escape from misery.

Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1 Interior Art by Michael Avon Oeming & Nick Filardi

Spelunk this: If you like wild visual feasts, Kirby-esque creativity and Big Two comics that are self-contained and creator-driven, you’re going to love what Cave Carson has to offer.

Mark Peters is the author of Bullshit: A Lexicon. Follow him on Twitter.