- Writer/Letterer: Jonathan Stevenson
- Artist/Colorist: Luke Balmer Kemp
Thanks to Jonathan Stevenson for the review copy!
THE DISCONAUTS is the story of a funky band of ‘cool kats’ that ‘traverse the galaxy as a force for good.’ Thus far, this traversing appears to be more about time travel than space travel (the story opens with an encounter with a dinosaur before settling into the main story involving Rasputin. It’s like Bill and Ted funkified (astute readers will note that Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is my cultural reference point for fun time travel stories).
The issue is full of funky disco-speak that will bring back memories of 70s movies. But underneath the requisite references to jive turkeys lies some truly clever dialogue that would impress without the funk (though the funk is fun). The aforementioned dinosaur encounter leads to a clever dad-joke pun riff that fills an entire page. THE DISCONAUTS also slips in musical references from the era (feel free to ask your parents).
While the first issue doesn’t have time to dig into each of the five Disconauts’ personalities, they each have a distinct character design that sets them apart. Interestingly, the character who is explored the most is the seemingly least integral to the team, the IT guru named The Whizz.
The issue relies on funky wordplay and period appropriate costumes as opposed to cursing or violence, though there is some implied sexual activity that may warrant a little parental discretion. If you have no familiarity with the disco era, you may be confused by some of the references and dialogue, but THE DISCONAUTS is a breezy look back on a bygone era that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
THE DISCONAUTS #1 campaign on Kickstarter is now live.
Are you going to back the campaign? Do you like time travel comics? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter.
