Comic Review: Wonder Twins (2019-) #1

Wonder Twins #1

DC Comics

Writer: Mark Russell

Artist: Stephen Byrne

The Wonder Twins have always been kind of “joke” characters in my mind. I’m too young to have seen The All-New Super Friends Hour which is where they had their debut. And then any pop culture reference to them I’ve seen is them being lame, along with old-school Aquaman.

Zan and Jayna are the titular Wonder Twins. Coming from the planet Exxor, when the two make physical contact they can transform their shape! Jayna can become any animal, and Zan can become any form of water. The twins are attending a regular high school on Earth, and working a part time job with the Justice League.

Mark Russell really brings the humor out of the characters and settings in this book. I haven’t laughed out loud at a comic in a while, but this one really brings it. The story is pretty straightforward, with the twins going to a regular high school and working at the Hall of Justice. There’s no end-of-the-world, “life or death” situation happening, it’s more of a “fish out of water” type thing. That’s where some of the humor comes from, but it also comes from some places I wasn’t expecting. Members of the Justice League make some cameos, and they provide the book some of its humor. Even dark and broody Batman has his moment.

Stephen Byrne handles the full art duties and it’s all fantastic. The style is more stationary, but it serves the book for the better. The characters, both main and minor/background have good facial expressions. I think the background locations have good detail, including people, which makes it feel lived in. The colors and shading are great. I like the costume design for the twins, as well as the general design for the other heroes who pop up. There’s not really any acton, but the few times there is, you can tell clearly what’s happening and who’s doing what.

I’ll be honest, I was a little hesitant about this series. I had no real reason to be, but it happens sometimes. I’m firmly 100% on board with the rest of this mini-series after this issue. Mark Russell is a great writer, and most of, if not all, of the jokes he put in the comic work. From the characters and their design, to the background detail and color, Stephen Byrne’s art is fantastic. I don’t want to be that guy, but again, this is a funny book. Even if you’re not a fan of the Wonder Twins as characters, you should read this comic.