Review by Ian Keogh

In The Groo Garden, the Great Wizard charged witches Arba and Dakarba with obtaining both parts of an amulet that would increase his already formidable power. They made the mistake of subcontracting to Groo. Desperate because he’s losing a war, the Great Wizard gives the witches another chance. That begins a neat three part story that in idle moments of reflection creators Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier consider would fit the bill should a Groo movie ever be on the cards. They’re good judges.

The reason the amulet is so powerful is because once the two parts are pieced together the magical properties ensure it obeys the slightest wish of whoever has possession of it. When much of the cast are idiots you’ll be able to see the comedy potential. The gags come thick and fast, served up with exquisite comedy timing and wonderful cartooning from Aragonés as people keep disappearing or appearing at the most awkward moments for them, the creators working their way through most of Groo’s regular friends and foes at one stage or another. It’s laugh out loud and wipe the tears from your eyes stuff and that’s even before you get to their best cheese dip joke. They even come up with the perfect ending.

Before ‘The Amulet’ there’s one of those stories Aragonés and Evanier have by this stage worked out to perfection, a farce based on Groo’s inability to work out exactly who he’s supposed to be working for. For the entire plot to slot into place, however, they have to cheat slightly by ignoring a Groo absolute, that every ship he sets foot on sinks.

One of the best Groo stories ever over three chapters. Why would you need any other reason to buy The Groo Inferno? The Groo Jamboree follows.