JW Reviews: HaHa

ICE CREAM MAN writer W. MAXWELL PRINCE brings his signature style of one-shot storytelling to the world of clowns―and he’s invited SOME OF COMIC’S BEST ARTISTS to join him for the ride.

HAHA is a genre-jumping, throat-lumping look at the sad, scary, hilarious life of those who get paid to play the fool―but these ain’t your typical jokers.

With chapters drawn by VANESA DEL REY (REDLANDS), GABRIEL WALTA (VISION), ROGER LANGRIDGE (THOR), and more, Haha peeks under the big top, over the rainbow, and even inside a balloon to tell a wide-ranging slew of stories about “funny” men and women, proving that some things are so sad you just have to laugh.

I’ve was never a huge fan of comics up until I saw the first Guillermo Del Toro Hellboy movie, when I learned there was more to them than superheroes and mutant schools. After reading everything Mike Mignola (creator of the Hellboy comics) ever put out, I began to look for new titles. Over the years I read many horror comics of varying quality.

Then, last year, I discovered something new: Ice Cream Man, a series of interconnected one-shot horror stories by Maxwell Prince. These were amazing and complete different than anything I’d come across yet.

When a new project by the creators of Ice Cream Man came out, I had to have it.

HAHA is another series of (slightly) interconnected dark stories, but they all involve clowns. Each issue uses a different artist, unlike Ice Cream Man, and it’s a lot of fun seeing how each story is presented in different styles.

I love how, in most of the stories, the lesson learned is that kindness and the joys of life should and will overcome even the darkest of times.

Each story explores the darker sides of human experience through the POV of clowns. They cover everything from deepest depression and financial ruin. I love how, in most of the stories, the lesson learned is that kindness and the joys of life should and will overcome even the darkest of times.

My favorite story is about an elderly clown name Pound Foolish. She was once a clown and chef for a traveling circus. Now she is living out her elderly years alone, surrounded by her carnival’s memorabilia. I love how cranky she is about everything from how store-bought cauliflower is already cut up to the annoyance of the youth. (Plus’s there’s an awesome recipe for cauliflower casserole in these pages.) Things stir up when a local boy is dared by his friends to Pound Foolish’s home and come back with a trophy.

Another great one is about Remy the mime. The presentation in this one is entertaining since he does not speak. The story itself is wonderful as well, but there are some surprises.

There was one reference that threw me off a bit in the last story. I’m still not sure if I’m a fan of a certain character showing up. Though, I did love how they added references to the Ice Cream Man series.

If you’re looking for some darker fiction in graphic form with some real human connection, you can’t go wrong with this one. Be sure to check out HAHA from your local comic book shop or bookstore.

I give this gem 4 out of 5 clown noses.