Spy Superb #3: Shhh… He’s a Spy

By Spy Superb #3, the protagonist, Jay, has come full circle as a complete narcissist. The series started with him being an unwilling government stooge, which has led to him convincing himself that his life has been strategically set up by the government in order to make him the actual Spy Superb. This concept will make meta books look like young adult novels to comic book veterans. Luckily, Matt Kidnt knows his audience well enough to make this comedic situation land perfectly. Meta narratives may not work well for everyone, but in this case it fits the story in a unique, satisfying way.

This conclusion to the Spy Superb mini-series ultimately proves to be a satisfying entry. The main highlight of this issue continues to be the comedy, with Kidnt holding nothing back in this overall meta-textualy hilarious book. The plot in this series started very basic, eventually evolving into a convoluted circular narrative that even the characters involved admit is confusing. This is all done in service to the comedic nature of the book, a constant reminder that the character focused drama is not the purpose of the overarching themes. 

As for an overall mini-series, this book reads very well, especially for fans of old spy novels or films. The narrative always zigs when it’s expected to zag, keeping the momentum up throughout every page. Jay is a hilarious protagonist, not because he jokes a lot, but because his personality is so unlikeable. This recurring gag never becomes dry, consistently providing laughs from beginning to end. The side characters play the role of the straight man, reminding readers that Jay is actually as ridiculous as he seems to be. By the end of the first issue, readers will know what they’ve signed up for, and by the time issue #3 roles around, the joke continues to work in spades.

The art in this series works in the context of the narrative. Sharlene Kidnt’s colors are subdued, but help break up Matt Kidnt’s art from blending together. Each panel has a grainy aesthetic, mirroring the physical image of a paper bag that is used on the front and back of the physical comic. This further helps differentiate the series’ spy story from the more serious spy dramas, by making it feel immediately less stuck to the common motifs associated with stories like that. Overall, the art works well for the story it’s in.