Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #5 – Mark Russell, Brandee Stilwell, Writers; Mike Feehan, Penciller; Sean Parsons, Jose Marzan Jr., Inkers; Gus Vasquez, Backup Artist; Paul Mounts, Ross Campbell, Colorists
Rating:
Ray – 8.5/10
WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW
Snagglepuss Chronicles #5, the penultimate issue of this miniseries, finally brings us to the moment we’ve been waiting for – Snagglepuss’ reunion with HUAC, as he returns to Capitol Hill on the eve of his newest play’s debut. However, before that there’s still a lot of pain to be had. Last issue saw Snagglepuss narrowly avoid arrest in a vice raid on Stonewall, but Huckleberry Hound wasn’t so lucky. His secret exposed, he’s been disgraced and his life in in ruins. Snagglepuss visits him to try to give him hope, and insists that he come home with him and his wife, but Huckleberry may be too far gone. The issue’s opening in Russia is chilling, but Russell has a bit of a weakness when it comes to political satire – he keeps on coming back to very obvious Trump jokes, like we also saw in his story in Action Comics Special this week. Overall, though, the political overtones in this run are very strong and show that Russell’s researched the era well.
The issue takes a dark turn in the final act, as Snagglepuss decides to play ball to save the people around him. This causes his lover to leave, heading back to Cuba – and it’s too late to save Huckleberry, as Snagglepuss’ wife comes to pick him up, and finds that he’s hung himself. This leads Snagglepuss to separate himself from her for her sake, and head to Congress to deliver a blistering salvo against the bigots and hypocrites leading the charge. It’s reminiscent of the famous “Have you no decency?” line from reality, only…you know, out of the mouth of a talking cartoon cat. Whether a spinoff of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon can really get this dark effectively is up for debate, but I think it works. However, that makes the backup, Sasquatch Detective, feel even more out of step. This issue’s installment is notable for an amusing Catwoman cameo, but otherwise it’s just more of the same one-joke premise. She’s a sasquatch! Who solves crimes!
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Disclaimer: GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
