FLORIDA HIPPOPOTAMUS COCAINE MASSACRE #1 (Mad Cave Studios)

A drug lord owns an animal themed amusement park called Disco-Hippo Wonderland. As the feds close in on him, he must make some desperate moves to escape the long arm of the law. However, his actions will set off a domino effect that no one could ever see coming.

Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1 - Written By Fred Kennedy – Art, Colors, & Letters By James Edward Clark - Published By Mad Cave Studios

Credit: Mad Cave Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

The Issue opens with the First Lady Mandy Laser giving an anti-drug message while drinking a bottle of wine. She introduces a video and the title of the news story is the Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre. We then pick up at the Disco-Hippo Wonderland an animal-themed amusement park in Florida. However, this park is owned by a known drug lord M’Jor “Disco” Discau, and he’s making a surprise appearance at the park this day. His surprise visit is spurned by the discovery of an undercover agent that has infiltrated his crew. The agent’s name is Tico Senecoza, and he is a Flamingo City Detective that is on loan to the FDA.

Well Tico is being held up by Discau, his superior Clarke Nebraska is trying to keep tabs on him, even as a hurricane is on its way. She unfortunately has lost contact with him at the worst time possible. Just then a maverick crashes the party and it is discovered that it’s Tico’s partner and brother Miguel Senecoza. Mass chaos breaks out at the park as Miguel takes the fight to the criminals to try and save his brother. This infuriates Nebraska as it has blown her chance to bring down Discau. Can Miguel save Tico and bring Discau to justice or will this story get even crazier? Let’s just say the latter is definitely the answer.

WRITING:

This first issue introduces the reader to this insane and crazy world. Fred Kennedy starts with a crazy premise and an even crazier delivery. The of an amusement park with performing Hippo’s that is a front for a drug lord that has developed a strain of cocaine that will turn people into socialists is just the beginning. Then you mix in the police and see that the story is being narrated by a drunk First Lady and how can you go wrong. Somehow Kennedy still manages to tell a coherent and funny crime story, even with all these moving parts. There does become a time where it seems like too much, but the fun makes it all worthwhile.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in the first issue sets the tone for the series heading forward. James Edward Clark uses a unique style that matches the story impeccably. Clark looks to take inspiration from Starsky & Hutch, with the comedic crime story tied in. At the same time Clark also ages the artwork with the color selections, giving it an aged look and it puts the reader back in the 70’s/80’s. The art perfectly matches the fun nature of the story and draws the reader in as much as the crazy story does.

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Final Thoughts:

Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1 delivers a crazy story that lives up to the equally as crazy name. This issue is a ton of fun and delivers on the over-the-top promise of the title. It does feel like a lot all at once and some of the narrative gets lost in the shuffle. However, at the end of the day, the story is super entertaining and will surely make you laugh and shake your head. If you are looking for an insanely fun and entertaining book/series that also delivers a crime story, pick this up at the LCS and enjoy.

FINAL GRADE: 8/10

Let me know your thoughts on Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!