Bill & Ted Are Doomed #1
Written by: Evan Dorkin
Illustration and Color by: Roger Langridge
Cover Art by: Evan Dorkin, and Sarah Dyer
Dark Horse Comics
2020
The official prequel series to the new film!
After defeating the evil dictator De Nomolos in Bogus Journey in 1995, things aren’t looking as excellent as they should for either Bill and Ted or Wyld Stallyns. There’s tension in the band and worry at home. Bill and Ted’s obsessiveness with writing the one song to bring peace to the world is affecting their playing and their relationships with their families. The band is losing favor with fans and the future isn’t shaping up as they were all led to believe it would from past (and future) events. Desperate for a solution Bill and Ted burst in to announce their great idea to revive the band’s fortunes: A world tour to spread the love–and the rock, and the love of the rock–to the world.
I imagine not everyone knows Bill and Ted like I do, which makes me feel older than anything else has in a long, long time. There’s probably a lot of people who have no idea who Bill and Ted are at all, and even more who remember them as being some forgotten joke from the 80s. But Bill and Ted were always more than that to me. They’re silliness and positivity and pure fun all rolled up into one perfect package. I’ve loved the movies since they came out, I’ve loved the previous comics I’ve read, and I love this one just as much. If you’re not already a fan, here is your chance to get on board with something special.
Reading this issue feels exactly like watching one of the movies. (Well, one of the old movies – I haven’t seen the new one yet, I can’t speak for it.) Every character’s essence is captured perfectly in the art, the writing, and the spirit of this book. It is bright, funny, and yes – simple, just like our heroes. Things may be rough for them, but they know it’ll end up alright, if they’re just excellent to each other. And perhaps even more than the nostalgia I feel for my old friends, it’s that message that I love most about them.
Bill and Ted don’t get down. They just try their best at everything they do, even when that best is terrible. They are lovable idiots, and they wouldn’t work any other way. And the writers of this comics must understand that exactly, as they show it off on almost every page. There’s jokes, there’s snide comments, and there’s plenty of poking fun at them, and it all works wonderfully. The story picks up where the movies left off, and continues on in the same spirit without missing a beat. While reading this, you barely notice the change of media.
And to make things even better, the artists get that too. Every page looks great. The characters look exactly like they did in the movies, just in comic form. Everything is as colorful as Bill and Ted’s outlook on life. And nothing is overdone or too complicated. The art fits their attitude perfectly. And it looks fantastic.
I’m so happy there’s a new Bill and Ted comic, just as much as I am there’s a new movie. These guys are great fun, and a great laugh. I want to see the movie even more than ever after reading this, which is undoubtedly the point of it all, but for once I don’t mind being advertised to. The comic is brilliant all on it’s own, and only enhances my love of the films. I can’t wait for issue #2 to land in October!
Bill and Ted's Most Excellent Comic Adventure
If you love Bill and Ted, this comic has more of everything they're known for. It's silly and light hearted, and should not be taken seriously on any level, but it is also a great joy to read. I am so happy to have these characters in my life again.
Brian Reed
Brian has been reading comics since January, 1987, when the death of Optimus Prime rocked his young world. Once a regular presenter on The Nerdstravaganza Podcast, Brian now writes for Florida Geek Scene.
