Review by Frank Plowright
Officer Clawsome is Caper Cove’s premier undersea policeman, a former wrestler accompanied by his starfish companion Stariana. His sheer size gives him an advantage, and don’t underestimate how useful that wrestling experience is.
Clawsome drops firmly into the tradition of animated heroes aimed at children. They’re strong and tenacious, but none too bright, written by Brian “Smitty” Smith to empower young readers who’ll be able to join the dots and figure out what’s going on before Clawsome does. It’s a world where the barest wisp of a mask is disguise enough, and where Clawsome will happily postpone a pursuit for a wrestling rematch.
An old hand at cartoon versions of Marvel’s characters, Chris Giarrusso adapts easily to the undersea superhero, designing a simple world with cheery characters aimed at younger readers. Although vaguely resembling undersea creatures, the cast are easily drawn, perhaps to encourage readers to draw themselves, and there are some nice touches such as the undersea skimmers the police use.
Lobster Cop opens with a few single panel gags before introducing the plots occupying the remainder of the book. Clawsome’s primary concern is the disappearance of Kelpy’s, makers of the finest kelpcakes under the sea, although there are rumours of a shark, despite one not having been otherwise seen in over a century. The big puzzle is the emergence of a gangster run kelpcake enterprise emerging shortly after Kelpy’s disappears. Smith can never resist a pun, and his highlight is a casino sequence in which assorted fish gamble while playing Old Maid, and, naturally, Go Fish.
Any young reader ought to enjoy this funny adventure, and Clawsome returns in Crime Across Time.