Oni Press has been slowly building its own shared universe in the “NacelleVerse”, offering updated takes on classic animated series and toy lines. Some of these efforts have been pretty good (see Biker Mice from Mars). Others feel like they should have stayed in history’s dustbin (see Power Lords). I’m proud to report that Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa #1 falls into the former category.
For those who forgot about the original series or didn’t grow up in the ’90s, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa takes place in an alternate Wild West where a massive meteor struck the Earth, causing animal life to mutate into an anthropomorphic state. Eventually, a trio of mutated cows who take up the mantle of lawmen. It’s the exact kind of premise that was cooked up to rival the popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, yet it also stands out due to a unique mix of Western, steampunk, and cartoon elements.
This take on Moo Mesa serves as an origin story, with the creative team of Matt Hotson and Juan Gedeon delving into what brought the C.O.W.-Boys together. Hotson takes a measured approach to the proceedings, choosing to put the focus on Moo Montana and the mystery that brings him to Cowtown. I also like that Hotson is starting from ground zero, giving readers the chance to slowly immerse themselves in the world of Moo Mesa. Another thing to appreciate: this technically is the “first” NacelleVerse series, so fans will have the perfect jumping-on point.
Oni Press
Hotson also finds the perfect balance between taking the source material seriously and remembering that this is based on a cartoon where talking cows dress up as gunslingers. The former means that we get plenty of animal-based puns to the point where readers are either going to be laughing or groaning, no in-between. The latter shows itself in Montana’s character; he’s someone who believes in doing the right thing, no matter what, and is determined to see it through, even with Cowtown’s corrupt officials and a mysterious threat standing in his way.
Gedeon brings the world of Moo Mesa to life; his rougher style of penciling fits perfectly for the Wild West setting, and has some great emotional moments that tell a lot about a character with very few words. When Montana is first introduced, he’s shown firing his gold badge revolvers, his face narrowed in concentration. A sharp contrast is Cowtown’s deputy sheriff Terrorbull, whose hulking frame is only matched by his constant state of rage – veins ripple over his arm, while steam literally shoots out of his ears. It’d be funny if it weren’t menacing.
Gedeon is also helped by colorist Carlos Cabrera, who brings a sepia-toned twinge to the landscape of Moo Mesa, and a dusty red haze over Cowtown. Topping things off is Jeff Powell, whose letters are big, bold and in your face, much like the characters they belong to.
Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa #1 is proof that in the right hands, even the most obscure story can be interesting – and in a world where Captain Planet and Space Ghost have incredible comics, that’s a lesson more comic publishers should take to heart.
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