Lockjaw #1 (2018)

“Who’s a Good Boy?”

Writer: Dan Kibblesmith
Pencils: Carlos Villa

Back with another FIRST ISSUE recap. This time one that’s been published in this century…even just a few weeks ago. Golly.

As much as I like puppies and find the concept of a giant mustached slobberin’ and teleportin’ bulldog awesome, I was hesitant to pick this up. Due to his nature, Lockjaw’s basically been comic relief in his modern appearances. No offense to the writer whom I had not heard of– but I thought the name “Kibblesmith” had to be a wacky pseudonym. I mean, why not also list “Bitsmith” ad the artist, so we’d have the team of “Kibbles’ n’ Bits”?! Hey-oh!

Oh, and the cover also had a very small ad for “Agents of SHIELD”, which I despise. Yeah…I like comic book dogs and I even had a dog named “Ace” for poop’s sake. Yet I still wasn’t feeling this Lockjaw book. However, since my comic book buying habits have been cut down a GAGGLE in recent years, I figured there was no harm in plunking down a few bones (no pun intended, but appreciated) on this. After all, it IS a FIRST ISSUE and I could always babble about it on my crappy Internets Website!

Enough justification. I’ll just shut up and get on with it. Like most modern stories involving the Inhumans, our story starts off in the bedroom of Black Bolt and Medusa. Relax…they’re both full clothed. They wonder just where Lockjaw goes when he teleports away. Lockjaw shows us by jumping to visit Karnak, then a (seemingly) random family reunion in Brooklyn. He eventually ends up at home of Dennis Dunphy, the former D-Man.

Waitasec. Back up. D-Man?! Demolition Man?! As great English orator Gordon Sumner once said: you don’t mess around with the Demolition Man. Haven’t seen that dude in forever. Sure, the Internets tell me that he’s been in some recent Marvel crossover events, but I personally haven’t seen him since he made a cameo as a bum in the big Kurt Busiek/George Perez Avengers relaunch, circa 1998. Always liked that guy— a former pro rassler with a Daredevil/Wolverine combo costume, who teamed up with no less than Captain America. Well done, Lockjaw #1. You’ve got my attention.

What follows is a “Marvel Team-Up” of sorts, between D-Man and Lockjaw. Along with D-Man’s neighbor, the delusional Mrs. Gillespie. She has her own (normal sized) bulldog named Bixby, whom Lockjaw apparently recognizes. Instead of the usual canine handshake of sniffing butts, the two dogs thankfully only lick each other’s mush. Oh, and D-Man and Lockjaw fight off flying technologically advanced hamsters, cuz’ that always happens.

D-Man accidentally hitches a ride on Lockjaw’s next teleportation jump, which lands them both in the Savage Land. With Ka-Zar and Zabu immediately greeting them, naturally.

D-Man appears to be more than just a co-star or sidekick, as he gets a good deal of the spotlight. Lockjaw can’t speak, so we need somebody to give us a little narrative. D-man’s been loafing around his apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn, eatin’ pizza and watching Jeopardy. In something I missed since 1988, he recently had a boyfriend, Chris. Huh. Never knew that D-Man was gay. Once again, it makes sense that not all superheroes are the same, so I’m cool with that.

So yeah, that’s the gist of the story. It’s a fun example of playing in the Marvel sandbox–using all the crazy characters and concepts that are at your disposal and; most importantly; having some fun with them! There’s a kinetic, whimsical energy throughout this book. I don’t think we’ve ever had a “Lockjaw: Year One” or an origin, and this series looks to explore some of that. Dan Kibblesmith has a great description of Lockjaw in the letters page: “A hippopotamus-sized, teleporting bulldog with a tuning fork on his head and a mustachioed muzzle, who sometimes lives on the moon”. That sentence is SO Marvel in so many ways. I had a blast reading this issue.

Summary: Lockjaw ‘ports to Brooklyn, hangs out with D-man, then they jump to the Savage Land.
Cover Price: $3.99
Rating: $1.99 out of $2.50