I Heart Skull-Crusher #3 Review: The Gang’s All Here

I Heart Skull-Crusher #3

Review

Rating

9

Good

Writer: Josie Campbell

Artist: Alessio Zonno

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Release Date: May 15, 2024

Page Count: 32

Format: Single-issue

I Heart Skull-Crusher continues its run of being an adrenaline rush of a series with an issue that introduces a ferocious new member to Trini’s Screaming Pain Ball team. The series is just pure, unadulterated fun to enjoy in 32 pages.

I Heart Skull-Crusher #3

Review

Writer: Josie Campbell

Artist: Alessio Zonno

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Release Date: May 15, 2024

Page Count: 32

Format: Single-issue

I Heart Skull-Crusher continues its run of being an adrenaline rush of a series with an issue that introduces a ferocious new member to Trini’s Screaming Pain Ball team. The series is just pure, unadulterated fun to enjoy in 32 pages.

Rating

9

Good

With its flashy covers and catchy title, I Heart Skull-Crusher by Josie Campbell and Alessio Zonno instantly caught my eye when I first heard about this new comic from BOOM! Studios. While I was unfamiliar with the creators before reading this comic, it didn’t take long for me to become a fan. This charming, chaotic, and stylish series got its hooks in me the moment I finished its first issue. Now that the series has hit its third installment, this wild ride is only getting crazier and I can’t get enough of it. With that said, let’s get to my review of I Heart Skull-Crusher #3!

Overview

Trini’s Screaming Pain Ball team is almost complete. The last member they need is a goalie. Fortunately, Coach Blood found just the player they were looking for with David! The problem is that David is a bear–a mutant bear-man, to be exact. So, as Coach believes, the only way to keep David from tearing the others apart is to do some good old-fashioned team-building exercises! As absurd as that sounds, it’s the only option the Podunk Lil’ Team has since they need to get ready for their match against the Plague Town Masks. 

Image: BOOM! Studios

Review

To put it bluntly, this series is total chaos in all the best ways possible. It mixes many elements into one super fun package, with the heart of the story being a glorified Shonen anime tournament arc. But then you’ve also got some Scott Pilgrim energy in there alongside the Fallout vibes with the futuristic wasteland setting. Yet, as vastly different as all those pieces sound, everything works beautifully within this charming new comic. Not only is the comic’s world wonderfully unique, but the characters throughout the story are weirdly loveable as they get into all kinds of absurd hijinks together.

As if the cast wasn’t crazy enough as is, this third issue throws a monkey wrench into the mix with David. Or should I say “bear wrench” in this case? With Trini’s team fully assembled, this issue gives us a great look into how the characters work together as a hilariously dysfunctional unit. Because so much of this series’ charm comes from the eccentric cast of characters, the team dynamics between them make for plenty of fun and chaotic moments. Even with scenes going a mile a minute, writer Josie Campbell is fantastic at making the characters’ unique personalities shine through witty and snappy dialogue. Did I mention that David is just literally a giant brown bear? That kind of absurd twist is exactly the type of off-the-wall humor you can expect from this fast-paced series. Who knows what curveballs await the team in their next turn? At this point, I just expect some fun times for the series from here. 

Image: BOOM! Studios

And of course, a major highlight of this comic is artist Alessio Zonno’s fantastic anime/manga-inspired style. It’s great flipping from page to page and seeing his work be eye-catching no matter the type of scene. Whether it’s the high intensity of the Screaming Pain Ball match or a surprisingly romantic moment between Trini and Dan, Zonno’s art fluidly elevates the mood of every moment. It’s refreshing to see such an energetic art style in a Western comic since this type of look is more common in Japanese manga. This series wears its inspirations on its sleeve and dials everything fun about those different things to eleven. 

Image: BOOM! Studios

Final Thoughts

Series like I Heart Skull-Crusher remind me of what comics are about– having fun. Even if this high-energy type of series may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s hard to deny how much fun the creators are having while making it. If you haven’t jumped on this hype train yet, now is the perfect time. Because everything about this comic is so energetic and fast-paced, you can easily breeze through the available issues in no time. With all its laughs, charm, and incredible art, this series is probably one of the most fun I’ve had with a debut this year.

Why You Should Read I Heart Skull-Crusher

• You never know what insanity will pop up with each new issue.
• Josie Campbell’s writing makes the characters and their dynamics shine for a fun and chaotic ride. 
• Alessio Zonno’s anime-inspired art style adds plenty of charm to this fast-paced sports story.