Review: The Toxic Crusaders #1

The Toxic Crusaders #1

Illustrated by: Tristan Wright

Written by: Matt Bors

Ahoy Comics

2025

Spoilers..

First issue, following on the heels of the all-new Toxic Avenger movie! In the aftermath of the chemical spill that created Toxie, other mutations arose-all gross, all weird, and some evil! Join in the rebirth of the greatest and grossest animated-series sensation of all time: The Toxic Crusaders-Nozone, Junkyard, Fungirl, Major Disaster, and Toxic Avenger himself. Featuring a variant cover celebrating the all-new Toxic Crusaders game, coming soon!

If you’re the kind of reader who likes your comics weird, loud, messy, and kind of brilliant under all the slime, then Toxic Crusaders #1 is going to feel like home. This issue kicks off a new series from AHOY Comics, written by Matt Bors and drawn by Tristan Wright, and it’s absolutely drenched in the radioactive spirit of the Troma universe. It’s gross, funny, and sharper than it looks at first glance.

The main story, titled “Training Day,” throws us right into the bizarre world of the Toxic Crusaders—mutant misfits who are basically eco-terrorists with hearts of gold and faces that look like microwaved meatloaf. Bors doesn’t hold back when it comes to the satire. The story is packed with jabs at politics, consumer culture, and the way we treat the environment, but it never turns into a lecture. Instead, it leans into the absurdity. Tristan Wright’s art is absolutely perfect for this—it’s chaotic, expressive, and gross in a way that makes you want to keep looking. His work really brings the world of Toxie and his band of freaks to life, and Lee Loughridge’s colors give it all that sickly, almost moldy vibe that feels exactly right for a comic like this.

One thing that makes this book stand out is how much heart it has under all the grime. You can tell the creators genuinely care about what they’re making. Bors even talks in the back matter about how he found Wright’s self-published work years ago and knew he wanted to collaborate. That kind of passion shows. This isn’t a cheap nostalgia grab or a half-hearted reboot. It’s a full-throttle, blood-splattered love letter to mutants, misfits, and people who still care—even if they have tentacles growing out of their faces.

The two backup stories are a bonus and both feel like they belong in the same universe, even though they’re totally different in tone. “Guitars vs. Rayguns! Last Stand on Uranus” by Carl Cafarelli and Joe Orsak is exactly what it sounds like: a space rock band accidentally causes a brawl in a dive bar on Uranus by insulting the Eagles. It’s dumb in the best way possible, full of one-liners and ridiculous action. You know exactly what kind of story it is within the first few panels, and it never lets up. It’s just fun.

The other backup, “The Last Monologue” by Larry Hodges, takes a totally different approach. It plays off the classic James Bond villain moment, where the bad guy explains everything instead of just pulling the trigger. Only this time, the villain doesn’t wait. She just shoots the hero mid-sentence. It’s quick, smart, and hilarious, and it works as both a gag and a little piece of commentary.

Altogether, Toxic Crusaders #1 feels like the start of something that’s going to be wild, unpredictable, and a little disgusting—in the best possible way. It’s got something to say, but it never takes itself too seriously. If you grew up on late-night cable weirdness, or you’re just sick of the same old superhero stories, give this one a shot. Just don’t read it while you’re eating.

Beam Me Up Scotty

Born and raised in the city of Miami. Lifelong pro wrestling fan. Been deep in the 'zine scene since ’84, interviewing locals, Hardcore, Punk, and Metal bands. Spent 26 years in the comic book biz and still obsessed with all things pop culture—Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, Die-Cast Metal Super Robots, you name it. I can go on about comic books and bad movies all day.