There is a danger in updating a classic franchise for modern times. Change too much and you risk breaking what didn’t need to be fixed. It is a trap that Jonny Quest fell into once already with the VR-infused Real Adventures of Jonny Quest in 1996. Thankfully, the new comic series from Dynamite Entertainment is a welcome throwback to the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon, yet subtlety updated for 21st century audiences.
Picking up where this year’s Free Comic Book Day special, Jonny Quest #0, began, this issue finds the Quest family returned home. All is not well, however, as their Palm Key compound seems strangely haunted. Not by literal phantoms, but by a strange feeling that it is not their home despite all appearances to the contrary. This leads them to investigate the oddly alien homestead and make a shocking discovery.
The script by Ben 10 co-creator Joe Casey is suitably tense and thrilling. He does a fantastic job of establishing a spooky atmosphere and capturing the voices of the characters from the cartoon. Despite this, Casey subtly steers the series away from the more objectionable tropes of Atomic Age science fiction.
Jonny Quest comic captures spirit of show
The character of Hadji is particularly notable in this regard. The original cartoon leaned heavily upon the classic image of the Hindu mystic and Dr. Quest’s adopted son having magical powers. Later adaptations varied in whether Hadji was a true wizard or just a talented stage magician. In any case, this version of Hadji evokes real Hindu deities rather than chanting “Sim Sim Salabim!” It is a subtle change but a welcome one that ironically updates the franchise despite it still being set firmly in the 1960s.
Sebastián Píriz also does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of the original Jonny Quest cartoon. While not mimicking the style of Alex Toth, the artwork presents the same aesthetic as his classic character designs. The action flows smoothly from panel to panel and is well paced as well.
Jonny Quest #1 is another success for the partnership between Dynamite and Warner Bros. Entertainment. It is also one heck of a ripping yarn. It is sure to please fans of the original cartoons and any pulp fan who enjoys a rousing tale of adventure.
Grade: 4/5
Jonny Quest #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on August 14, 2024.
