365 Reasons to Love Comics #22

CBR

By Bill Reed

Published Jan 22, 2007

Supporting Characters Week, Day Two: Secrets of the Ooze.

A question for those of you that click in from the front page to read this... do you like being kept in suspense until you click "Read More," or would you rather know what the day's entry will be about straight off? Just wondering. The current "ploy" is to get you interested enough to click on through and read the column. I thought perhaps some people are unaffected by that, however, and scroll on by. I leave it to you, readers!

Anyway, today's column is about one of my favorite sidekicks to ever appear in comics. And he's only been in three issues. Who is it? I have two words for you.

1/22/07

22. Chubby da Choona

Those two words?

You said it, Chubs.

Seaguy was a 3-issue Vertigo mini-series brought to you by Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart back in 2004. It was one of the best comics of the last ten years. It didn't sell, though, so no promises for a sequel (Morrison had planned two more 96-page acts).

Chubby da Choona was Seaguy's best friend. He's basically a flying fish that hates water, has a seven second memory, and can swim in air. And talk. If Seaguy became a movie, Chubby would be played by Ernest Borgnine.

Also, Chubby had a catchphrase. It was:

And it was awesome.

Chubby is representative of a child's imaginary friend, or perhaps the living subconscious of Seaguy. He's always there for his buddy. He's the sensational character find of 2004.

(There's so many good panels to scan, but I'm trying to limit it. It's hard, though. So much goodness.)

So, in the series, Seaguy and Chubby uncover a vast and horrific conspiracy which leads to frightening and terrible consequences. I don't want to spoil it for those that haven't read it, but let's say that Seaguy is one of the most heartbreaking, bittersweet comics you will ever read.

I can't help but love the little guy, and I hope some of you will understand why. For those that don't, head on over to Amazon and buy yourself some Seaguy. It's one of those love it or hate it kinda books, but it's like reading a fugue dream. It all makes a kind of sense that doesn't. One day in this column, we'll discuss the series in more detail. Today, however, is Chubby da Choona's day.