After the LOBOtomy

 

Whenever I get tired of wordy comics or the high-brow moralizing normally found in the so-called 'literary' graphic novels, I feel like I need to release the pressure in my aching brain by pulling out a stack of back issues and kickin' back with some LOBO back issues. What? Did you say Lobo? Yep, that's right. Lobo. Not only is he one of the most funny and consistently entertaining characters in comics, but he is also the perfect anti-hero for those who get tired of the do-gooder superhero set who NEVER indulge in drinking, partying, or raucous mayhem whenever they feel like it. 

Lobo shows the darker side of what every superhero could be if you took away the 'hero' and pumped them full of alcohol and mind-altering drugs. And no, I am not saying that I want to be like Lobo. I mean, the guy is a murderer, a galactic bounty hunter who revels in torture and bloodshed; who betrays his friends (or rather 'acquaintances.' He doesn't have any friends - big surprise) and who shamelessly womanizes females from just about any species this side of the milky way. He has NO redeeming qualities, he makes no apologies for his behavior, and he absolutely hates some of my favorite DC characters (Batman, Superman, and just about the entire roster of the Justice League). So why read him, other than for cheap gratification?

Simple. His love of Space Dolphins. 

I mean, a guy who likes these cute little galactic critters can't be all bad, can he? So, Lobo DOES have a softer side, and he's not shy about this either. Plus, his books are funny, witty and entertaining, and have so far been written by excellent writers who have stayed true to the vision that Keith Giffen had when first he created the character. Alan Grant (from 2000AD fame) is probably my favorite LOBO writer, and Simon Bisley my favorite LOBO artist. Recently a Lobo miniseries debuted that did quite well. And even though there is no ongoing series at the moment, the character is definitely here to stay.

I have always enjoyed reading humor comics as a way to distance myself from the larger more mainstream comics that have become more intense and meaningful ever since Alan Moore raised the bar so high with his groundbreaking 1980's work like Watchmen, Swamp Thing and V for Vendetta. Don't get me wrong, I love Alan Moore's stuff, as well as Neil Gaiman's and Grant Morrison's crazy ideas and brilliant plots that could only be described as pure comic book literature. BUT...every now and then I need a break from all this. THAT'S when I love me some Lobo.

For those not in the know, let's look a bit at Lobo's incredibly flawed but endearing character. When he was a child growing up on the peaceful Utopia known as Czarnia, his teachers and parents soon discovered that he was evil incarnate when he single handedly engineered the destruction of his entire race by creating a lethal biological plague that wiped out everyone except himself. This shows off his genius-level intelligence and penchant for murder, which would definitely rank him as one of the vilest supervillains out there. Then, after leaving his barren and lifeless homeworld he started utilizing his unique genetic talents (massive physical strength, interstellar tracking, and the ability to regenerate or grow clones from drops of his blood) to make a lucrative living as the galaxy's greatest bounty hunter and assassin, earning a reputation as someone who never failed to eliminate or capture a target. Did I just mention a few sentences back that his character is 'endearing?' So far, I've only mentioned PURE EVIL. And this is true. Lobo IS evil. And yet, his pets are lovable and cuddly space dolphins frolicking around the asteroid where he makes his home...taken care of and adored by one of the most powerful beings in existence.

Sure, you might say, Hitler was a vegetarian and doted on his Alsatian called Blondie. Does this make him endearing? Well, no, because Hitler, I am sure, did not have the sense of humor and comedic significance that Lobo has. And that's what makes all the difference. Lobo treats the world of sentient beings as a joke and displays his contempt for civilized life by treating other intelligent lifeforms as parasites living off the fat of the universe. He is an anarchist, but also a merciless realist. The Space Dolphins are his only link to pure and incorruptible innocence, and this explains a great deal about his character and why I love to read him. 

Of course, the gratuitous violence found in any comic featuring Lobo plays a big part in my enjoyment of the book. Lobo has caused untold amounts of destruction during his career as an assassin and bounty hunter, and even during the brief period when he served as an intergalactic law officer for Vril Dox's L.E.G.I.O.N. He has gone toe to toe with Superman, and has even met Batman on a few occasions. He has single-handedly defeated the Justice League (consisting of such powerhouses as a Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter at the time) and has had numerous bloody adventures throughout the galaxy. My favorite of these would probably be when Lobo had to assemble a motley crew of outcasts and criminals in a storyline entitled THE FRAGNIFICENT SEVEN in his 90's ongoing series. 

His power to grow clones has been neutralized, but his regeneration ability has never been stronger, while his brutal style of figthing makes him one of the most dangerous opponents in the DC universe. He even has his own unique phraseology and vocabulary, a bit of Lobo-slang if you will, i.e. FRAG meaning kill, BASTICH meaning bastard, FEETAL'S GIZZARD meaning oh my god, etc. His high intelligence also means that he is not adverse to reading the odd bit of fiction every now and then, his favorite collection being SHORT AND SNAPPY TALES OF DEATH by Various. And boy, does he love the babes. For a while he was enamoured with a busty waitress called Darleen in his ongoing title , and he has lusted after Starfire of the Titans , even going so far as to snatch a look at her naked breasts in exchange for towing her and her teammates to safety after they were stranded on a hostile world in the DC series 52.  

So, I guess it's a good bet to say that I love all things LOBO, and that anyone who reads a Lobo book past or present is signing up for a literary lobotomy. It's certainly not mind-food, more like mind-junk food, or a shot in the gut of your literary expectations. I say bring it on. Lobo is a wake-up call to comic book readers stuck on seriousness and high-brow entertainment. Live a little, cut yourself loose and bask in the utter ridiculousness of LOBO. You won't be disappointed.

For you weirdos who have never read THE MAIN MAN, here's a list of recommended LOBO titles. Some might be ouit of print, but they're worth picking up via the back issue bins, ebay, or even digitally. 

The Original Series

• The 1990 Lobo miniseries by Keith Giffen, Alan Grant, and Simon Bisley

• Lobo: The Last Czarnian, which established his definitive origin story

• Lobo’s Back miniseries

Fan-Favorite Collections

Lobo by Keith Giffen & Alan Grant Vol. 1
This comprehensive collection includes:

• Lobo #1-4

• Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special #1

• Lobo’s Back #1-4

• Lobo: Blazing Chain of Love #1

• Lobo Convention Special #1

Notable Standalone Stories

Popular Limited Series

• Lobo: Infanticide - A story about Lobo’s children trying to assassinate him

• Lobo: A Contract on Gawd - Considered one of the best Lobo storylines

• Lobo: Unamerican Gladiators - Features Lobo in a deadly game show

• Lobo/Mask - A highly-rated crossover series

Special Issues

• Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special - One of the most infamous and beloved Lobo stories, featuring a battle with Santa Claus

• Batman/Lobo: Deadly Serious - A notable crossover with Batman

• Portrait of a Victim - A unique perspective on Lobo’s impact

The best way to experience Lobo is through these self-contained stories and limited series, which showcase his unique character while staying somewhat separate from the main DC continuity.

Enjoy!