Destined for Back Issue Bins
I think a lot of people would be surprised at just how unerotic Penthouse Comix actually was. Throughout the 1990s, sales of 'skin' magazines like Penthouse continued to flag as the new World Wide Web exploded after the invention of Mosaic - the first graphical web browser making pictures (even those of scantily clad women) just a click away. One of the few areas of the publishing world that continued to expand in market share was the world of comics. So it was only natural that the Guccione's of the world would try to cash in.
The book opens with Young Captain Adventure, a superhero comic that writer George Carragone claims is a spoof of the "glut of bad superhero comics in the early 90's". While I appreciate the sentiment, there are probably at least a thousand other comic fans that could have spoofed the subject matter better, and by the time he bemoans that "some folks in the business still haven't gotten the jokes", I can't help but think, maybe they just weren't laughing because it's not really that funny. Some props have to go to artist Adam Hughes, however, for creating some great images, particularly of the Power Girl clone Hericane.
Next comes the "tech-noir" series Scion, which resembles a million other Ghost in the Shell inspired comics of the 90s. Once again, the highlight is the art (this time by Kevin Nowlan) but once again, it's not good enough to overcome Carragone's unengaging script.
Libby in the Lost World was ostensibly supposed to be the comic thrown in to appeal to women. If that was the goal, it's kind of hard to believe it was successful, if for no other reason than the protagonist, Libby, is pretty much the biggest bimbo in the whole magazine. Whatever the case, it's pretty much a standard Lost World type tale with bare breasts.
Bethlehem Steele was Guccione's favorite, and it's no surprise. This space pirate epic is hands down the best of the lot, both from a writing standpoint, and an art standpoint. It also boasts the only real erotic moments in the whole magazine, but also some of the best moments of action and dramatic tension. Bethlehem Steele actually makes the magazine worthwhile.
After that it's all downhill. Doctor Dare is another superhero story - this time a WWII era female Captain America ripoff. It's largely forgettable, but at least better than Young Captain Adventure. The issue finishes with Right Place, Wrong Time a one-off by Spanish artist Horacio Altuna. Fine for what it is, but nothing that's going to leave a lasting impression.
Penthouse Comix is off to an O.K. start, but they'll have to do better than this if they want to last - frankly, Heavy Metal has been doing this kind of thing better for a long time.