Stiletto 9

Created, Written & Illustrated by John B. Lai
Published by Ultimate Comics Group

I happen to like this series, and Lai was kind enough to share his latest iss with me, so a review is in order. Last issue, our now raven-haired but still lithe heroine and her pet puppy-monster Rigby found a new friend in Ren, an Asian answer to Flash Gordon. Although a pleasant reprieve was had by all, especially in light of all the intergalactic warfare of the last arc, the search for home continues.
Well, Stiletto finally crosses a line with this iss, and I have to say the progression was both natural and highly warranted. For a two-dimensional lady Stiletto has more depth than any of our current presidential candidates. After an extended goodbye session with their new ally, company parts as the heroic Ren must return to planet Kadra to do assorted heroic things. Continuing her quest for home (and her by now very lonely other pup Holly), Stil and Rigs land on a planet populated by the large-brained Cerebrals creatures. Learning that big brains get as hot and horny as do little brains, she meets elements both good and nefarious. Wackiness insues and our topless adventuress runs right into a Three Way intersection of bounty-hunting trouble.
Lai's art is still bright and fun. While his panels seem to be getting at once both larger in size and fewer in number, his blend of photo-realism with crayon-esque etchings balanced over elaborately gorgeous digitally painted backdrops is wonderfully easy on the eyes. There is just so much imagination in these pages, it is borderline intoxicating in effect. I do have a qualm though, as the lettering style used by the Cerebrals was at times small and hard to make out. However, the iss all in all continues a great science fiction adventure, with plenty of crude humor and innuendo all over the place, from dialogue to buildings and ships. This comic book is not for children, and not for the easily offended. It is though, for people not too ashamed and preprogrammed to admit that yes, sex is in fact the most fun in the omniverse. And wisely keeping tongue firmly planted in proverbial cheek, Lai still pulls off his interstellar romp without resorting too far into gross pornography. This is way more evolved and colorful than that.
"Giving you all three of my inputs while staring into deep space was the most romantic thing I've ever experienced." Silly, yes. But still maybe the best line I've read in a comic all year. For something quite a bit different, please consider checking out this series.