Review by Ian Keogh

That’s Dylan on the cover. He’s the motivational force behind a web pranks show called Into Radness, which lacks originality and sparkle, with the result being just a dozen subscribers. However, internet success is a matter of luck as much as anything else, and Dylan and his mates just happen to be there when things go seriously wrong for far more successful video blogger Toby Hondo. It’s just the start of gloopy monsters emerging from electrical equipment to a zonking soundtrack all over Back Alley.

Kyle Strahm is aiming for that good natured Bill & Ted sweet spot, but with a whole bunch of likeable idiots instead of a pair, and in collaborator Jake Smith he has an artist able to deliver energy and personality in vibrant colour. An occasional problem with foreshortening doesn’t greatly diminish the overall effect of busy pages that transmit how much fun Smith had drawing them.

The concept behind Into Radness is the balance to be found between making it big and caring for mates who were part of that, but who perhaps have concerns other than success. Toby Hondo may be a caricature, but his ego and arrogance supplies a warning for Dylan’s friends. It’s one Dylan is very slow to take on board himself.

A predictable path is followed to an ending opening up the possibility of further adventures that never manifested. However, a younger audience ought to enjoy the vitality and the ridiculous situations as an escalating succession of threats are ended, culminating in Manchovy!