Bill & Ted Save The Universe from Boom! Studios collects the third hit Bill & Ted mini-series by Brian Joines, Bachan and Alex Guimaraes.
The Wyld Stallyns are back, and this time they’re traveling across the whole universe! Bill and Ted have been kidnapped by a bodacious alien and are handed over to…their long-lost family?!
Bill & Ted Save The Universe
Written by: Brian Joines
Art by: Bachan
Colors by: Alex Guimares
Letters by: Jim Campbell
Covers by: Derek Charm
Writing
Bill & Ted Save The Universe is the third Bill & Ted movie we should have gotten back in the 90s. Writer Brian Joines, who already had a strong handle on San Dimas’ most dynamic duo in Bill & Ted Go To Hell, ups his game here. Joines not only writes the way the boys speak perfectly, he is also great at using the growing cast of characters this series has subtly developed over the years. The supporting cast, well known to fans, has always been part of the charm of this series. It’s good to see that.
Joines does bring his own ideas into the series; a slew of fun alien races, we get to see how Bill and Ted meet and we finally meet their mothers. The less said about that last bit the better though, as what happens with Ms. Preston and Ms. Logan is a huge part of the plot, and spoiling will take away something special.
Art
The art by Bachan is refreshingly not realistic and tied down by any need to be a pitch-perfect match for the movie. Bachan understands that Bill and Ted are iconic at this point, and all you have to do is capture the characters and go with it. The line work also has a ton of energy. The pages zip by as fast as a time-traveling phone booth. You also get some great creature designs.
Alex Guimares colors the hell out of this book, and his palette adds much to the entire thing. Bill & Ted should always pop and Guimares kaleidoscopic approach to coloring definitely makes things explode with energy.
Conclusion
Bill & Ted Save The Universe is a treat. It’s rare that an older property can be made to feel fresh. Joines, Bachan and Guimaraes deliver a comic that feels new but also like a long-lost sequel to one of our most beloved franchises.
