All this month I'll be reviewing different comic books by African-American creators, based on submissions from the actual creators of the comic books themselves. Check out the archive to see what books have been spotlighted so far.

Today we look at New Money #1 by Hannibal Tabu (writer), N. Steven Harris (artist) and Alejandro Sanchez (colorist). The book was created by former NFL cornerback Phillip Buchanon, who I presume had a say in the first issue's plot, as well.



The book is essentially a parody of Entourage, only if instead of the show being about a movie star and his childhood friends, it is instead about a movie star and his other famous movie star buddies. The book stars a boxer, a football player, a football player (the other kind of football) and a singer who are doing a reality show together that, in effect, celebrates them for being rich guys.

Harris has always been an artist who excels at dynamism and this book suits his skills well, as it is just madcap madness. When someone can almost literally do anything he wants, then that gives Harris the opportunity to pretty much DRAW what ever he wants.

Tabu, meanwhile, balances the dueling sides of the personalities of these guys, something that Entourage always had a problem doing - how do you celebrate rich guys just loving their lives? Here, Tabu does so through a mixture of giving them charming personas and a general amiability while also embracing the absurdity of their lifestyles. Check out how we meet professional boxer Kameron Kash, who is likely the "star" of this first issue (it is more of an ensemble)...







Tabu uses an approach similar to the hilarious Mike Tyson Mysteries show, where these guys ARE destructive, but they don't fully grasp it. It's not that they're oblivious because they're definitely not oblivious, but they are perhaps SO caught up in their own hype that you can't help but be charmed by the absurdity of it all. Like a heartfelt conversation between Kash and NFL player Broderick McFadden (likely the closest there is to the brains of the group) that ends with them noting that they really should re-stage that conversation for their reality show.

The issue ends with a twist that the guys might have someone working against them, which will presumably drive future issues.

This is a light-hearted, over-the-top look at a life of excess. It's definitely a fun book.

You can get it at comiXology for just a buck!