A Review of Kung Fu Legume #1
Kung Fu Legume #1
Michael “Gecko” Adams story, words, art & letters
From Keenspot
Are you a fan of intensely ridiculous, but absolutely fulfilling, origin stories? Do you like beans? Well, I’ve got a winner for you. Peep the solicit:
What happens when a can of beans is jettisoned into space, bombarded by TV transmissions from the Kung Fu Network, then struck by lightning while hurtling to Earth? Find out in this collector's item first issue when Bean, the Kung Fu Legume, meets girl genius Monkey and her technology-challenged grandpa in this crazy origin story that sets an unlikely team on the adventure of a lifetime. And start eating more legumes already, For Your Health!
I know it’s about beans, but Kung Fu Legume is absolutely bananas. I’ve never read anything like this. It’s a chaotically masterful mashup of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Rocko’s Modern Life. It’s ready to teach you lessons, make you laugh, and cock your head like a confused dog.
Kung Fu Legume is a perfect all-ages title. I would love to see the look on a kid’s face as they thumb through these wild pages. Hell, the look on my face was pretty priceless! Michael “Gecko” Adams delivered one of my favorite origin stories to date. I promise you’ve never read one like it. It sets the perfect tone for this perfectly weird comic that will bring out some deep, belly laughs from anyone, of any age, who gives this book a shot.
The humor, the variants, the extreme, breakneck pacing, these are all massive strengths in the Kung Fu Legume arsenal, but one of the most impressive things about Kung Fu Legume is its creator, Michael “Gecko” Adams.
I got to meet Michael at Kansas City Planet Comicon, and upon walking up to his booth I was instantaneously impressed by his art. It’s got this vibrant, Skottie Young vibe, and he must have liked it when I said that because he sent me home with this epic Michelangelo piece. He also did a great The Maxx piece for a recent giveaway.
Not only can Michael draw, he can letter, color, and bring the laughs. He also makes some killer logos, and if you watch this recent interview, you’ll see he’s got some other great comic book tricks up his sleeve as well. He’s also trying to bring Bean, Monkey, and Robo-Gramps to small screens everywhere.
It was recently announced that Keenspot and Michael are working with writer Richard Pursel (Ren & Stimpy, SpongeBob SquarePants) to make Kung Fu Legume an animated series, which, I think, is beyond exciting. Make sure to give him a follow on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all his comic book shenanigans!
If you’ve got some young ones in your life, Kung Fu Legume is a great way to show them how fun reading can be. Or, if you’re like me and still watch cartoons and read the funny books, this book is absolutely for you. There are 5 issues available from Keenspot, and I assure you this first arc is as memorable as it is goofy. You’ve got to check it out!
Invader Comics’ Animals #1 is ALIVE on Kickstarter until 5/10. Click here to read a review. Click here to watch an interview with writer Keith Foster. Click here to visit the campaign page.
Crossover Division Volume 1: Fictions & Other Truths is live on Kickstarter! This campaign collects the previously 4 issues, as well as an all new comic short, in a glorious deluxe hardcover! Click here to check it out!
Mario Candelaria and J. Schiek’s upcoming Kickstarter campaign, One True Love, is in its prelaunch stage readying a June release. I happen to know that there will be a nice surprise for day 1 backers, so click here to get signed up!