‘Dragonfly and Dragonflyman Vol. 1’ TPB (review)

Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Peter Krause, Russell Braun
Published by Ahoy Comics

If you read the superhero genre long enough, you will find certain concepts and ideas repeat themselves. Sometimes these ideas feel rehashed and exhausted. Occasionally, these ideas feel refreshed and exhilarating. With Dragonfly and Dragonflyman, it’s a lot more of the latter.

I started this not having read The Wrong Earth or any other books from Ahoy Comics. The storytelling is executed in such a clear way that the reader is not required to have prior knowledge to keep up with the story. Once I was finished reading, I am definitely looking forward to reading The Wrong Earth.

The basic setup of this book:. There is an Earth Alpha and an Earth Omega. Earth Alpha is set up as light and fun. Earth Omega is a dark, corrupt place. The story takes place in Fortune City.

On both Earths, Dragonflyman and Dragonfly are battling Devil Man. The stories are similar, but executed differently enough that it does not feel repetitious. We are treated to a few moments on each Earth before jumping back to the parallel story being told on the other Earth. It could come off as gimmicky, but it really gives the story a real sweet and sour kick that you didn’t know you needed in your superhero comics.

Tom Peyer has a long history in comics. Every time you saw his name on the cover, you knew what you were reading was a product of love for the characters and love for the art form. This book is no different. It would be easy to write the Earth an Omega setting and characters without any redeeming qualities. Even with the dark setting of Earth Omega, an affectation for the characters shines through.

Earth Alpha’s portion of the story seems to have it’s inspiration from Batman ’66, which Peyer had a run on. It’s a lot of fun without feeling empty.

Peter Krause does great work balancing both halves of the book. He brings depth and gravity to Earth Omega. His work on Earth Alpha is bubble gum fun. You know it’s good when he makes it look easy.

I can’t recommend Dragonfly and Dragonflyman enough. A fun story told in a new, exciting way.