Ceej Says… BUMSTORM: A Snake Amongst The Wind Farm review

Posted on September 20, 2017 in Ceej Says, Small Press Reviews, TB Reviews

Writer/Artist: Robert Luckett
Release Date: 23rd September 2017 (Thought Bubble)

Bumstorm is the first self-published series from creator Robert Luckett, whose previous work includes the Regular Show OGNs for BOOM! Studios, and the latest flatulence-fueled issue – excitingly titled “A Snake Amongst The Wind Farm” – goes on sale this weekend at Thought Bubble.

The story is based around a young man called Guff who possesses a superhuman gift for farting. The first two issues in the series saw him cross paths with wannabe Hot Dog Eating World Champion Chu Chompington, with the pair forming a tight bond almost immediately. Chapter three sees Guff and Chu traveling to the Ora Oré Valley with food on their mind, only to end up being drawn into the mining town’s ongoing mystery when a strange ghost snake steals their ‘All You Can eat’ chili card.

As that synopsis will likely suggest, Luckett is pitching this book firmly at the all-ages market, providing some straightforward and light-hearted adventures – packed with plenty of fart gags, of course. The humour is incredibly broad, and Luckett throws in some terrific, groan-worthy puns and gags amidst all the flatulence-based insanity.

The artwork is about as cartoony as you’d expect, and comes packed with over-the-top moments – Guff’s “martial fartist” skills in particular – and plenty of lively, expressive characters. It could perhaps benefit from a splash of colour to liven things up and bring the inside pages to the same level as those wonderfully eye-catching covers, but I’m fully aware of the limitations of self-publishing, so can totally understand Luckett opting for the far simpler black and white approach.

Ultimately then, while it carries the “all-ages” tag, Bumstorm is clearly aimed at younger readers, and its light-hearted irreverence makes it feel like an undiscovered strip from the glory days of the Beano or the Dandy. Which, as someone who was raised on the antics of Dennis the Menace and Desperate Dan, is definitely no bad thing. For better or worse, it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect from a comic about a boy with super-powered farts, so if that basic premise appeals to you in any way, you really owe it to yourself to pick this one up.

Bumstorm: A Snake Amongst The Wind Farm is available from Robert at this weekend’s Thought Bubble (Table 36 in the Leeds Town Hall Marquee). “Pay What You Want” Digital copies will also be available on Robert’s Gumroad page shortly after the event, and print copies will also be available from his Bigcartel site (along with issues #1 and #2 of the series).

The writer of this piece was: Craig Neilson-Adams (aka Ceej)
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