Snelson #5
Dying has never felt so satisfying. Paul Constant orchestrates a poignant finale in “What’s The Deal With Comedy?”. Our protagonist, an artist who has decided to retire, finds himself entangled in an online community that misinterprets his message, leading to a surge of violent behavior. As he attempts to lead a reclusive life, funded by an insurance claim, the violence seeps into his sanctuary, resembling a situation reminiscent of Mark David Chapman. Colorist Lee Loughridge skillfully complements Fred Harper’s pencils, capturing the palpable anxiety of a life-or-death scenario that even Eminem could relate to, considering his own break-in incident last year by an obsessed fan.
Every aspect of Shelson’s world, from the characters to the situations, exudes hyper-realism. Although the story primarily unfolds in the third person, “What’s The Deal With Comedy?” feels like an out-of-body experience. This may be attributed to the fact that the comedy delves into disappointing topics prevalent in our world, shedding light on them without trivializing their significance. Surprisingly, this approach evokes more than laughter from the audience, leaving them with a profound impact—a feat that the comedian protagonist could only hope to achieve in his wildest dreams.
