Review - Oh S#!t It's Kim and Kim #1 (@blackmaskstudio)

"It's not going well."

Being a gun for hire is a lot less glamorous than it seems. Sure, there's the highs of a big score, but the lows are typically a lot more prevalent (and bear more consequences). In Oh S#!t It's Kim and Kim #1 from Black Mask Studio, Kim and Kim are looking for trouble and seemingly finding work. The issue is written by Magdalene Visaggio, illustrated by Eva Cabrera, colored by Claudia Aguirre and lettered by Zaak Saam.

The Fighting Kims are back! Kim & Kim trade their denim vests and spiked chokers for tuxes and gowns as they infiltrate the glitzy space colony of Santa Palma to try and con a master thief. But, as usual, everything goes to hell... and it's definitely Kim Q's fault. Come on, Kim. Get your life together.

Visaggio has always predicated the adventures (misadventures?) of Kim and Kim on the notion that the duo get themselves in some of the most ludicrous situations while always finding a way out. It's a great approach for storytelling that Visaggio embraces with earnest in Oh S#!t It's Kim and Kim #1, crafting a narrative that escalates in ridiculousness. The two main Kims counterbalance one another in certain ways and it's those ways that Visaggio relies on to help move the story forward; exploring the intricacies of their bond is what makes the story really tick. Visaggio's dialogue throughout is fast and furious, offering very little chance for the reader to catch their breath. Because of the dialogue and the events, the issue definitely unfolds with a snowball rolling down a mountain pace--it starts off fairly slowly before picking up speed fast.

Cabrera does a lot with the artwork, primarily in the way she makes each panel feel fuller than it actually is. Most of the panels feature only a few characters interacting with one another, but Cabrera does a great job of filling in the background action. A lot of the issue is focused on Kim and Kim making a mess and then trying to get out of said mess, something that Cabrera portrays very cleanly to allow the reader to keep up with the chaos. And despite the fact that Kim and Kim have very unique appearances, Cabrera draws the other players in the issue with a style that allows Kim and Kim to seemingly fit right in. Aguirre's colors are excessively bright and bold, contributing to the loud aesthetic that the boisterous duo exude.

Oh S#!t It's Kim and Kim #1 is an extremely enjoyable first issue that gets their series off right. Kim and Kim are in the thick of things again and show no signs of wanting to change their approach or deal with the fallout in a more orderly fashion. Visaggio's script is fast-paced and witty, boasting two lead characters who can't seem to get enough of just going off on any situation. Cabrera's artwork is as loud as the personalities of the main characters. Oh S#!t It's Kim and Kim #1 is the space mercenary book you never knew you wanted--until you read it and can't get enough.

Oh S#!t It's Kim and Kim #1 is available now.