POOH VS. BAMBI #3 – New Comic Review

POOH VS. BAMBI #3, by Zenescope on 7/3/24, concludes the eclectic take on a silly old bear when Pooh learns about Bambi and Kanga’s plan to take over the world, but who will win in a fight to the death?

Credits:

• Writer: Noah Mitchell
• Artist: Jordi Tarragona, Jordi Perez
• Colorist: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
• Letterer: Taylor Esposito
• Cover Artist: Al Barrionuevo (cover A)
• Publisher: Zenescope Enetraintment
• Release Date: July 3, 2024
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 26
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of POOH VS. BAMBI #3:

Plot Analysis:

Noah Mitchell and Zenescope wrap up the homage to 80s action films with a public domain twist when Pooh and Thumper endure villain monologues, cars, chasing planes, mad scientists, and a multitude of surprises. As endings go, it’s an action-packed one, but you’ve got to wade through a lot of reading to get there.

When last we left Pooh and Thumper in Pooh vs. Bambi #2, they infiltrated Dr. Kanga’s secret research compound to find Tigger, who disappeared weeks ago. Pooh was shocked to learn Bambi was still alive, Dr. Kanga used the mutant research to turn herself into a human/kangaroo hybrid, and Tigger was in on the Kanga’s plan the whole time.

In Pooh vs. Bambi #3, we begin with Bambi explaining how Pooh’s favored status planted a growing seed of jealousy in him. Pooh was still his brother, but resentment boiled over into hatred the night Pooh shot him. Dr. Kanga found Bambi nearly dead and nursed him back to health. Together, Bambi and Dr. Kanga built a plan to take over the world’s military using their mutant research. In Bambi’s mind, his plan would earn the world’s respect when the military is no longer under human control.

Noah Mitchell’s closing chapter gives you all the details you need to know about Bambi’s mysterious survival and the new partnerships he built over the years when he was presumed dead. The backstory makes sense, but boy howdy, you have to read through a LOT of villainous monologuing to get it.

Bambi and Dr. Kanga head to a nearby plane where their new super soldiers, called Heffalumps, are stored for delivery. As a parting gift, Bambi leaves Pooh and Thumper in the hands of Roo for torture and murder, a classic villain move. Of course, a classic villain move is met with a classic hero move as Pooh coaxes Roo into revealing Dr. Kanga’s master plan while he and Thumper work out an escape.

Yes, leaving the heroes chained up and under the eye of the musclebound meathead is a cliché move, but it suits the over-the-top action-hero vibe of the story. Plus, Pooh and Thumper’s escape turns the tables on Roo, who spills the beans on the details of Dr. Kanga’s plan. Still, you have to wade through a lot of reading to get to the point.

Pooh and Thumper steal a jeep and race to the plane before it takes off. Pooh leaps onto the landing gear, but Thumper is left behind when Tigger attacks the speeding jeep, splitting up our heroes. Pooh works his way into the plane to stop the Heffalump delivery. Thumper uses reflexes, timing, and a small bomb to send Tigger back into her human state with an explosive crash.

If we’re talking about an homage to 80s/90s action films, this sequence is about as action-packed as it gets. All credit goes to Jordi Tarragona for a thrilling airstrip chase, tension, and edge-of-your-seat antics. As a bonus, the scene is a well-constructed way to separate Thumper from Pooh and tie up the loose end concerning Tigger.

On board the plane, Pooh’s attempt at surprise doesn’t last long. Kanga and Bambi activate the Heffalumps to mindlessly attack and restrain Pooh. The silly old bear pleads with Bambi not to detonate the Heffalumps and spread a mutant virus around the world. Bambi is shocked to hear that the Heffalumps were meant to explode, a piece of the plan Kanga hid from Bambi. Realizing Kanga’s vision for a new world is just as bad as Bambi’s previous human leaders, the tables turn again, putting Bambi and Pooh on the same side of a fight once again.

Mitchell’s creative choice to hide a plan within the plan is a clever way to subvert Bambi’s loyalties and open his eyes to the choices he has made since his falling out with Pooh. It’s a nice bit of character reinforcement for Bambi’s personality, which makes his turn more believable. Unfortunately, you have to wade through even more voluminous dialog to get the full story.

The issue ends with a sacrifice, explosions, reunions, and the hint that yet another character from Pooh’s past is waiting to utilize Dr. Kanga’s research for nefarious ends.

Artwork and Presentation:

Multiple artists on a single issue is usually a red flag about the production of the issue. Either a major script change dropped at the last minute, and the original artist didn’t have time to redo the title, or some other form of conflict occurred. When those conflicts happen, it’s paramount to get a fill-in artist to have a style as complementary as possible to the original artist to avoid jarring style changes. In this case, Jordi Perez is somewhat close to Jordi Tarragona, but not close enough to notice the obvious art change.

Unfortunately, the art change comes at the most important moment in the finale, and the difference lessens the impact of the climax.

Art Samples:

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The Bigger Picture:

Series Continuity:

Pooh vs. Bambi #3 is Zenescope’s first foray into alternate takes on public domain characters, and the ending suggests more stories are waiting in the wings. There’s no formal announcement as of this writing for more Pooh adventures, but the door to continue is wide open.

Final Thoughts:

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POOH VS. BAMBI #3 concludes the eclectic homage to 80s & 90s action films with bare-knuckled brawling, car chases, explosions, and more. Noah Mitchell’s script has strong character elements, and the art team’s action visuals are on point. However, a few of the scenes turn into walls of exposition dialog, and an artist handoff happens at the worst possible moment.

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