The Pitiful Human-Lizard, Vol. 1: Far From Legendary

The Pitiful Human-Lizard #1

by Jason Loo

Toronto’s got a new superhero! And he’s pitiful! Lucas Barrett is an office clerk by day and a struggling superhero on evenings and weekends. Since costume repairs and his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes strain his tight budget, Lucas volunteers as a test subject for a pharmaceutical company’s trial painkiller. After a disgusting ordeal, Lucas realizes that the experimental drug left him with regenerative powers. With his newfound powers, the Human-Lizard is ready to take on any challenge that awaits him – even a supervillain interrupting his first date.

Collects issue #1-5, plus material from Made in Chinatown.

Genres: Comics

160 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2016

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern day Mystery Men. Jason Loo takes a real world approach on a normal guy trying to be a superhero. Then one day he gains regenerative powers and even though he's still not very good at being a hero, he can absorb a ton of punishment before getting things right. It's as much about the Human-Lizard's personal life as his alter ego's. I think fans of Nick Spencer's Ant-Man and Deadly Foes of Spider-Man would really enjoy this.

Received a review copy from Chapter House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Mixes the everyday with the superheroic, and cleverly makes that everyday too; a hero with a dull job, no social life, parents, and no secret identity.

Read as single issues.

[Mateen Mahboubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimately a fun take on the superhero genre that doesn't take itself seriously and has lots of fun with alter egos (does it count it all your co-workers have figured it out?), social life and team-ups. The writing and art aren't too much to get excited about but I have to give it major bonus marks for being so unapologetically set it Toronto and hitting so many iconic landmarks. I had lots of fun reading this one and will definitely continue the series.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Pitiful Human-Lizard Vol. 1: Far From Legendary' by Jason Loo won me over big time. This superhero from Toronto may not have the big time skills, but he makes up for it with sheer determination.

Lucas Barrett has a dad who was once famous in Toronto for using his amazing glue and a costume to climb walls as the Human-Lizard. Lucas follows in his footsteps. He adds crimefighting to his version, but with a day job and bills to pay, it's tough. With his sidekick/friend Majestic Rat (who has an army of rats to serve him), and Mother Wonder, the really good superhero, Toronto has never been safer. Or has it.

The concept reminded me a bit of the original Mystery Men comics with it's dry humor and pathetic powers, but it's elevated by the sheer imagination of the creator. His unusual takes on the strange sort of monsters that show up, was fun and kept me wondering what was going to show up next. Lucas is an everyman hero like we've seen before, but his pathetic life is so resonant, that he feels like someone you know or work with. The art had a really clean style that had a sort of retro look to it, but I liked it. Especially the bold covers included in the collection.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Mindy Lou Who · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this enough to read it, it really wasn't my favorite graphic novel series. To me it was just mediocre. It's definitely for teens and up as far as family-friendly reading goes. I honestly think this is one of those that toy either love or just don't enjoy the humor. Sadly, it just isn't my favorite but it was far from the worst thing I've read. Enjoyable but not my cup of tea.

I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[anie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received from NetGalley

Lucas Barrett works in office by day and tries to be superhero by night, wearing his father costume. He is almost out of money so he volunteers for a pharmaceutical company's new painkiller. Pill leaves him with actual super powers, he can heal anything, even severed limb.

The story and the illustrations is are OK, but nothing really stood out for me.

[Alyn Lunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

All in all it was a good read.