Review of Dork Tower #6

It wasn't me, it was the lizard brain- the one tucked away at the very back of the cerebral core amid the empty bottles and dirty laundry of my mind. It made the decision for me, engaging the reflexes before the conscious mind could even note the price or topic. I snatched the latest issue of Dork Tower off the shelf the way Billy the Kid drew his six-shooter, fast enough to blister paint. If you knew Dork Tower, you'd have done the same.

Sandy Antunes has already reviewed several earlier issues of this gamer-focused comic book, but I felt it just couldn't get enough praise. Besides, even I can't write bitter, scathing reviews all the time. And even I couldn't be bitter or scathing about Dork Tower.

Dork Tower is a sweet, absorbing, and topical look at the lives of four dedicated gamers and the paths they tread in pursuit of life, liberty, love, pewter miniatures, and +5 Swords of Grandiose Decapitation. Our heroes include Matt, the good-hearted Everygamer struggling with issues of normalcy and unrequited love; Ken, an intelligent and slightly cynical foil for Matt's befuddled introspection; Igor, the group's cuddly knucklehead, who would probably play Necromunda on his toes even if you took away all his rules and miniatures, and Carson, a muskrat. Yes, a muskrat. Carson was imported from one of writer/artist John Kovalic's other strips, and he fits in just grandly.

Each issue of Dork Tower contains a lengthy story or two as well as a number of single-page gags and mini-features. Issue six follows the continuing story of Matt's attempt to get noticed by an adorable "perky goth" he glimpsed from afar at a live-action vampire game several issues previously. The cheeseball goths and their over-the-top live-action game are a recurring element of Dork Tower, and sometimes, I have to tell you, it's like looking through a damn highlight book of my most embarrassing LARP moments. Except I'm free to laugh until my sinuses crumple.

Almost every aspect of our fair gaming culture gets it below the belt, but in a genuinely loving fashion. Gaming magazines, game shops, game shop owners, Pokemon, miniatures, computer games, industry trends, puns, armchair barbarians, war games, conventions, and gamer romance all get the royal Kovalic treatment. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll give John Kovalic money. And that's great, because he'll then produce more Dork Tower.

So, you all know what you have to do. Live without that assortment of Eldar if you must. Curb your dice-buying habits if you need to. But get your grubby little hands on Dork Tower. No, don't thank me. Like you, I once was lost, but now am found. Pass the dice, Carson.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)