Review - Bill and Ted's Most Triumphant Return #1

"Dreams do come true. As long as you work hard and stay true to yourself. The time machine also helps, I'm not going to lie."

Bill and Ted were losers. Aimless. No direction. Things took a turn one fateful day after a visit by a mysterious traveler with an even more mysterious proposition. Now, the two are legendary and bathe in a sea of accolades and praise. Their work still isn't done though and their journey continues in Bill and Ted's Most Triumphant Return #1. The issue is written by Brian Lynch, illustrated by Jerry Gaylord, inked by Gaylord and Penelope Gaylord, colored by Whitney Cogar and lettered by Jim Campbell.

Following the time-traveling historic epic of Excellent Adventure and the turbulent life and death of Bogus Journey, Bill and Ted must now fulfill their destiny as the inspiration for galactic harmony! How can someone hate the Wyld Stallyns as much as the evil Chuck De Nomolos? With the power of time travel, Bill and Ted set their sights on turning a young 27th-century Nomolos’ non-non-heinous attitude into something most outstanding and metal!

Adapting a known property into another medium is a balancing act between creating something new while at the same time paying homage to what made the property so well-known in the first place. Lynch does an admirable job on both fronts, even if the story in Bill and Ted's Most Triumphant Return #1 feels as if it meanders at times. Lynch managed to cram just about every catch-phrase and major player from the films into the book in ways that do make sense and touch on the nostalgic nerve that accompanies seeing familiar faces again. The story itself falters a little bit though, as the premise of the duo heading forward in time to create an album in the present feels a little confusing. The premise itself is clear, but Lynch spends much of the first issue trying to pay respects to the key facets of the Bill and Ted universe that everyone knows and would expect in a comic.

Considering that Bill and Ted's Most Triumphant Return #1 is "adapted" from the films, Gaylord's pencils hit the right visual notes in drawing the reader back into the world of Bill and Ted. His style is zany enough to work for the two characters, as it adds a certain bit of playfulness that accompanies the attitudes of Bill and Ted. Characters exhibit strange proportions in comparison to other characters, with Bill and Ted especially looking very tall and lanky compared to other characters. The inks by the two Gaylords are understated, as characters seemingly blend into the backgrounds. Cogar's colors give the book a punchiness, as her choice of bold, bright colors accent the preposterous of the story.

Bill and Ted's Most Triumphant Return #1 is a pretty satisfying continuation of a completely random saga started in the movies. All the key players are on hand to play their parts and the reverence directed toward Bill and Ted feels appropriate. Lynch's plot evens out by the end of the issue and gives the series a direction and purpose. The illustrations are a good match for the property and maintain familiar appearances for all the familiar faces. Bill and Ted's Most Triumphant Return #1 is going to appeal to nostalgia junkies yearning for more than just an excellent adventure or bogus journey.

Bill and Ted's Most Triumphant Return #1 is in stores now with interiors below.