The Present State of Affairs
Would somebody please tell me what kind of a world we live in, where people are not allowed to be sad, or happy? In fact, the only status that does seemed to be allowed is be to be dead. At least, that is the present state of affairs as we come to in Issue 6 of Ahoy Comics Happy Hour. To expedite our heroine Kim’s journey to the allowable stasis of dead, Landor Cohen’s miserable followers are casting her into the Swamp of Despond. Why?? Because she was found to be a spy for the those who believe only happiness should prevail. To make matters worse, she was in part outed by her lover, or former lover, depending on which one you ask, Jerry. As the old saying goes, with friends like him, who needs an enema? Or enemy…something like that.
Jerry to the Rescue?
Needless to say, Kim is not very pleased with this turn of events. Which should have made the miserable members of Cohen’s commune, happy. Except that they are not allowed to be happy. Damn confusing, isn’t it? As for Jerry, watching Kim struggle for her life makes him step up and try to save her. He confesses that it was he that was spying, not Kim. Which was not true but it’s not like truth is high on anyone’s agenda these days. But it did have an effect. Cohen told his people to cast Jerry into the Swamp as well. Well that could have gone a bit better.
Cleaning up at a Convenience Store
Meanwhile, as Kim and Jerry are struggling against their upcoming demise, the folks from “Happyville” are closing in on the Cohen compound. Thanks to the tracking device that Kim had been carrying. However, as much as they were looking forward to making a bunch of miserable people happy, they always had time to clean up at a local convenience store. One that had an infestation of miserable people. Nothing kills the hum-drums like a shot in the head. But at least they picked up their candy, fuel and relieved themselves first. Priorities…always priorities. Onward to Cohen’s.
Sullivan Reunites with his Wife
Back at the Swamp, Jerry and Kim are slowly going down. Much to the delight of the crowd. Although I thought that wasn’t allowed. No matter. But just as our heroes are sinking below the surface, they receive salvation in the form of Sullivan. For those of you who have been following our little melodrama, Sullivan used to be a member of the Happy Brigade before his wife was sent to a Psychiatric Ward…by him. This made him sad. Which of course isn’t allowed and made him prime recruitment bait for Cohen’s bunch. So he was retrieved and brought to Misery 101.
There he found his wife who, according to her, had been liberated by Cohen. She greeted Sullivan with a punch to the gut, which made him happy. She was there (I think). So to prove his happiness, and his ability to make HER happy, he saved Kim and Jerry. Are we following all this? Good. Much to the chagrin of Cohen. The Swamp of Despond was a one way trip. No cancellations allowed. But before they could debate the philosophical difference they had, the Happy Campers arrived. They resolved the upcoming question and answer period by shooting Cohen in the chest. That may be against debate rules. Not sure. However, their leader McSmith told her soldiers not to kill these miserable people. I’m sure the folks in the convenience store wished she had come to that conclusion earlier. But she only gave permission to kill Cohen and Sullivan.
Landor Cohen Gets the Last Word
Part of that mission was pretty much complete as Kim and Jerry attempted to get help for the Czar of the Miserable. But, as one might expect in this crazy scenario, Cohen didn’t want help. By dying, he was proving his point that life sucks and death was always the inevitable destination. Either way it went, he wins. If you believe that death is winning. Apparently he did. As for Jerry, all he knew was he and Kim needed to get out of there while everyone was occupied.
As for Sullivan, he was attempting to get away with his wife when McSmith arrived. She told Sullivan she used to respect him and it would make her sad to kill him. Sullivan knew that wasn’t true. Everything made McSmith happy. And speaking of which, he had reunited with his wife. All he wanted to do was to leave with her and that would make him happy. Isn’t that all McSmith and her Happy Meal brigade wanted? For everyone to be happy? McSmith pondered this statement. After a time she came out and one of her soldiers asked her if she had found Sullivan. She told him that Sullivan had been “dealt with.” Not that it really mattered, because wasn’t the weather great?!
Two Days Later
A couple of days later Kim and Jerry are wandering across the desert. They are hungry, thirsty, hot and more than anything, confused. Which of the philosophy’s was better? To be happy all the time? To be miserable? Was there no happy medium? Couldn’t two people just be whatever they wanted to be? Kim had pretty much come to the conclusion that most people were just f’n stupid and it didn’t really matter. But before Jerry could consider her deep, analytical conclusion, a double decker bus pulled up. Just what one might expect in the middle of nowhere. The door opened and Kim and Jerry were invited to join them. But first they would have to take a nap as they were exposed to a knockout gas. Now what??
Welcome to Irony
Welcome to the third state of irrational thought, welcome to Irony. Population some or none, depending on what you believe. The land of British thinking that says just the opposite of what you mean. It is here that Sullivan and his wife Mary have set up a home. At least Sullivan thinks so, he is not sure if Mary actually exists or not. He believes he is just imagining her. Mary is willing to go along with his train of thought. He never treated her so well.
So in other words, this place is just as screwed up a place as either the Happy or Sad Villas. But if you keep in mind nothing means what it says it does, you can be happy…or sad. As for Kim and Jerry? They are together but have no feelings for each other at all. Which is quite ironical when you think about it.
Thoughts
As one might expect from Happy Hour by now, Peter Milligan has left the reader thinking right up to the end. The inherent conflicts that those who followed the Happy Philosophy and those that wallowed in Misery, left it almost a foregone conclusion that Irony might be the result. And Milligan has a good time with the dichotomies right to the end. One need only look at those miserable lot who cheered on when Kim and Jerry were being cast in the Swamp of Despond. You shouldn’t be happy that someone was facing their demise. Yet they were and that went against their supposed philosophy. Which resulted in Irony, although they were too focused on their enthusiastic woe to notice. Leave it to the British to recognize an alternative.
The real plus in all of this was that Milligan has left ample room for another volume if he should so choose. It’s not like there are not more emotions for him and Artist Michael Montenat to explore. The human condition is rife with negative and positive attitudes and the team of Milligan and Montenat have already proven an ability to find the humor in them. Or as Jerry says, “Fuck, I just hate people who have to get in the last word.” Hopefully, this issue isn’t that.
Extras
Don’t ever forget the added text stories included with every issue of Ahoy. They have added three additional tales to this issue with Kirk Vanderbeeks, All American, Head Castle Spurgeon by Chris Sumberg, and my particular favorite, Sweet Revenge by Rob Staegar. Be sure to check them out. You can find Ahoy Comics Happy Hour, Issue 6 where great comics are sold.
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Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
