Retro Review: "Super Mario Bros. No. 6"!

Anyone who frequents this humble little blog of mine knows that I'm generally an optimistic, happy-go-lucky reviewer. I can count the number of times that I've given a negative review on ONE hand! HOWEVER, I can't help this one. I couldn't find the silver lining to the terrible storm cloud that "Super Mario Bros. No. 6" was. Granted, this is an older comic, but I don't feel that age can excuse the corny jokes, lack of an intriguing storyline, or the general obliviousness of EVERY stinkin' character! I understand that this was written for kids, but I KNOW that as a young Mario fan, even >I< would have rolled my eyes in disbelief at the contents of said comic book! The "magazine" includes three short stories. Here's a general breakdown of the main story. And because I'm not worried about any of you reading it, I'm going to SPOIL IT ALL!! *evil laugh*

Story #1: The Buddy System: The story opens with Mario and Luigi trying to fix the pipes in the castle. They're having a rough time (Mario comments to the princess: "Under control--excpet that our pipes are exploding!" Inuendo??) of the job, and a pipe opens to reveal a whole lotta junk- including "King Bowser Koopa"'s sneaker (yup...they actually call him "Bowser" in this one!). Mario, the ever eager plumber, jumps down the pipe and comments that "This pipe reminds me of my apartment in Brooklyn, except that it's bigger and has running water!". Booooo. Seriously, Mario?? Before long, Mario encounters Bowser chewing Lemmy a new one! The poor baby Koopa is being sent on missions to try to blow out the water main and flood the Mushroom Kingdom. "Poor baby Koopa" apparently can't get it right, as Bowser is irritated at his ten failed attempts. Lemmy blows up four bombs at once, everyone is sent flying, and a gang of mice appear to handcuff Mario and Bowser together (LAME! That just feels like the plot is being forced!). For the remainder of the story, Mario and Bowser have to work together to open a valve and save themselves from drowning. After the water level subsides, Mario and Bowser are able to use a transport tube. Upon arrival to the surface, both try to knock the other out. Lemmy appears with yet another bomb and drops it near the handcuffed pair (convenient, huh?). The story closes with Mario asking Bowser if Lemmy is really on his side or not. Bowser replies "You wondered about that too, huh?". Mario arrives home, wet, cold, and sore to a party being held in Luigi's honor (complete with a cake topper featuring Luigi). Everyone thinks that Luigi fixed the plumbing by replacing a washer when really it was Mario's adventure with Bowser that did the trick. The princess comments to Mario "Well, Mario, looks like Luigi's the better plumber!" What a ------!!!

I'm just going straight to what I thought:

I'd rate the comic 2/5 and what gives it that high of a rating is that I like looking at the comic. It's bright. The characters look very classic, and the line art in general is good. The story was terrible, the jokes were cheesy, and the WORST part was the letters from fans in the back. Every letter sounded fake. Fake or like the people who wrote them did NOT speak English very well.

Disagree? Put 'em up! Tell me what you think!

Until next time!

XOXO Ashleigh