I was pretty giddy the whole time, but Matt Bors made one point during our chat that lit me up like a nuclear plant. Specifically, he noted how Toxic Avenger was a gritty, profane exploration of consumerism and environmental destruction. But less than 10 years later, they went all Saturday morning extravaganza with the bright, playful Toxic Crusaders. The move, Bors argued, only came about because 1) there’s such innate flexibility with the franchise and 2) time and context can make a big difference with adaptations.
So, as Bors and artist Tristan Wright unveil their comics adaptation of Toxic Crusaders, a lot of these points swirled around my head (like dirty leaves in an exposed barrel of toxic waste, really). How would this version of the series land, and would it split the difference between the dark and “joyous”? And could it do just that and still be entertaining and resonant?
I’m happy to admit the answer is yes — generally speaking.
Courtesy of AHOY Comics.
Because there’s lots to love about Toxic Crusaders #1. The most obvious such icon of our affection is Wright’s lively art (alongside Lee Loughridge’s sharp colors). With this sleek, stylized approach (akin to Michael Allred in all the ways that matter and none of the ways that would be detrimental), the pair lend a robustness and stylized glamor to Tromaville and its mutated residents. At the same time, the designs are never any less gross or terrifying. Be it the mucus dripping from No-Zone, or Junkyard’s, um, novel approach to disarming enemies, it’s all wonderfully bizarre.
The end result is something that aligns with that core of duality and sense balance at the heart of Toxic Crusaders — this cheesy, vaguely throwback magic that keeps the beating heart of the cartoon alive while never letting us forget about the real-world horrors that inform this entire story. It’s an art style with real legs, and to already have this perfectly-attuned aesthetic does real wonders as we enter a slightly different corner of the Tromaville that Bors has fostered over the last year or so.
Courtesy of AHOY Comics.
Because from a storyline wise, we pretty much jump right into the wondrous mess of it all. We do get to see No-Zone’s own origins, and I really like that the flashback elements have maintained such a vital role in this latest series. (Even if, to a certain extent, I wish we got just a little more with No-Zone before he became the mucus master of the East Coast.)
But Bors has done such a solid job building toward Toxic Crusaders elsewhere, and the team felt fully formed and ready to go in a way that’s massively important across this book. Not that they’re actually on the same page from a narrative sense (more on that in a bit…), but Toxic Crusaders already has the depth and intent to waste little time in world-building. Plus, this series can strategically use flashbacks, and even happenings in related titles, to get going at an enthusiastic pace that streamlines everybody’s immersion.
And because of that efficiency, Toxic Crusaders #1 spends a lot of time with its biggest, most interesting story thread: Some squabbles among the team. I don’t want to go too deep into it here, but the Toxic Crusaders disagree on how they can best help their hometown. On one side, Toxie seems to think the boots-on-the-ground approach is the way to go, and he wants to help in a day-to-day effort to clean up Tromaville. And that’s our boy to a tee: Pragmatic and all about direct action for the little guy. This book needs that heart as it delves into these big, complicated ideas.
Courtesy of AHOY Comics.
Meanwhile, folks like No-Zone and Fungirl really carry forward this franchise’s sturdy environmentalist thread, and they emphasize a sense of political and social awareness that maintains this books’ relevance. It also augments some of the more “silly” aspects into a story that captures and extends the sense of powerlessness that many feel today and the corresponding desire to strike back at feckless and destructive institutions. This aspect is the book’s unpredictable edge.
This dynamic doesn’t just add to the larger theme, but it makes for some interesting tension. I love that No-Zone and Fungirl get a chance to shine early on; their whole youthful dynamic creates not only real odds, but also fosters a moment where some of that desire for action and ignorance causes actual problems. It’s an event that’s not only visually pleasing (I’d love to see Wright draw explosions and nuclear leaks all dang day), but it creates real tension with the rest of the Toxic Crusaders. And if we’re doing a group-centric book, I want as much back-and-forth internally as I do with the team fighting Mr. K and the alien-bugs.
Courtesy of AHOY Comics.
It’s that internal turmoil that’s not only interesting (as a commentary about how should we strike back at power), but also gives more room for the interplay between Toxic Crusaders’ lively energies and its socio-political commentary. It’ll certainly complicate things in Tromaville, and it makes this book already shine with proper layers and texture. And that just makes a nostalgia ride so much more satisfying as the “Toxie-verse” really earns its sea (toxic waste?) legs.
Still, as much as I loved the No-Zone/Fungirl emphasis across Toxic Crusaders #1, I did miss more of a dedicated focus on Toxie. Across Toxic Avenger and Toxic Avenger Comics, he’s become this really interesting figure. It’s been a joy to see him try and maneuver life from the shit-stirring Melvin into the complex intricacies of being the Toxic Avenger. But some of that oomph is missing in the issue, and I wish he had more of a starring role in this book.
Courtesy of AHOY Comics.
Again, that could be the case with Toxic Crusaders #2 or beyond, but with so much potential elsewhere, and more characters to focus on (what’s up with this version of Junkyard, and should we get even more face time with the promising Major Disaster?), Toxie may end up as a bit player instead. (Even from a visual aspect, Toxie is muscular and unnerving but he doesn’t fully stand out.) It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, as he’s got other books to star in, and Toxic Crusaders can/should be for the others. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that your hero needs to be more of an anchor as this next phase unfurls in earnest.
Still, the “Toxie problem” isn’t a major deficit for this issue. Not only because there’s important context, but also because I can feel the care and attention Bors and Wright put into this debut. That as much as I’m interested in ideas of adaptation and story duality and whatnot, what I’m really concerned with is the humanity and lineage that exists within this book. (Perhaps that’s the secret of all great adaptations? Care and fandom.) And in that sense, the creators are doing everything to connect with the past, present, and future of these characters in a way that gives us a great, multifaceted story and adds to the kooky patchwork of all things Toxie.
It’s still early enough, certainly, but I can feel that heart and personality like the heat coming off Toxie’s mop. And with friends like these, and so many contextually-rich adventures to have, sign me up for a decoder ring or team jacket pronto.
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