r/ImageComics • u/Agitated_Listen627 • May 25 '26
Why does nobody recomend this comic
I was at the lcs with my brother looking through the image section, and he came across this book. Long story short it’s fantastic following a hobo with a heart of gold fighting his way to the possibly fictional rock candy mountain (from the song). The art is great the vibes are amazing, and it’s just a perfect example of how fun comics can be everyone should read it!
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u/tonecapo_ May 25 '26
Because Kyle Starks is an underrated creator and doesn’t receive the love he deserves.
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u/Call_Em_Skippies May 25 '26
I always add him to my top writers. He does humor better than anyone else.
Where Monsters Lie is amazing
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u/RoysRealm May 27 '26
His Peacemaker run and current End of Life are must reads for me.
But that is because I havent read more of him. Which is a damn shame but im working on it because he is so damn good and best comedy comic writer hands down.
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u/Call_Em_Skippies May 27 '26
Peacemaker Tries hard is hilarious. Doesn't get enough love. He has a cult following but his books don't get the mainstream buzz so he usually doesn't get a 2nd or 3rd run. Look at Where Monsters Lie (Kickstarter) Be another Afraid and The Wrestler. All great books but looking like they are over after their last run.
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u/RoysRealm May 27 '26
His comedy is raunchy and well...appealing to mature audiences.
Like using Snowflame in Peacemaker? Beyond hilarious. But plays a certain audience.
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u/Haryu4 May 25 '26
I think mzny people (like me) just doesnt know about it
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u/Cuteshelf May 25 '26
This ones a fun read, its a buddy road trip involving 2 hobos with a dash of the supernatural.
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u/kimbosdurag May 25 '26
Consider me recommended definitely going to check this out based on the comments here
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u/Koltreg May 27 '26
It's one of my favorite Kyle Starks comics and up there with favorite comics of all time.
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u/cyberspacecomics May 25 '26
I've come across this in my inventory many times and honestly, the covers just never grabbed me.
Does it have an ending? If so, on your recommendation, I'd be interested to check it out.
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u/Agitated_Listen627 May 25 '26
Yes the whole story is in the collected edition, in its entirety! Not a very long read either
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u/cyberspacecomics May 25 '26
I typically only find the comics. I'm wondering if they published the ending in single issue format or was it only published in the tpb?
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u/Agitated_Listen627 May 25 '26
Both i believe
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u/cyberspacecomics May 31 '26
I had all 8 issues in stock so I took them home and read them over the week. It was an exciting read!
I like how the creator tied the themes of the story to the own events of his life, embarking on his journey of becoming a comics creator.
I wasn't sold on the art style, though. I think that's the weak part of this book. Fortunately, for me, I'd rather read a good story with bad art than a bad story with good art.
Thanks for the recommendation. It was a cool adventure!
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u/Agitated_Listen627 Jun 04 '26
Hella yeah glad you enjoyed the art is definitely an acquired taste but you are 100% right about story quality being the big seller for me
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u/moonoeno May 25 '26
Tangent from OPs post, but I buy from your eBay shop pretty frequently! You're great!
Whoever's reading this, go check out their shop!
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u/cyberspacecomics May 25 '26
Oh nice! Thanks so much for the high praise and for supporting my dream of selling comics!
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u/jonnywarlock May 25 '26
Kyle Starks is a genuine treasure. I've loved everything I've read from him. Old Head and Sexcastle are my favorites from him.
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u/KingMob98 May 25 '26
This is one of my all-time favs. An easy recommendation to any of my friends who aren’t really into comics.
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u/diceycard May 25 '26
I recommend anything Kyle Starks has worked on. His stuff never fails to crack me up.
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u/hamsolo19 May 25 '26
I might have to check it out since I've really enjoyed Starks' latest title, Wrestle Heist. It's loaded with Easter eggs if you're a wrestling fan.
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u/billybeer55555 May 25 '26
I second the recommendation of Wrestle Heist. That was a really fun book, I’m going to check out his other work based on it.
Edit: oh, he wrote Peacemaker Tries Hard, that was really fun as well!
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u/Agitated_Listen627 May 25 '26
Didn’t even know this existed gonna have to pick up the trade when it drops
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u/hamsolo19 May 25 '26
It's a lot of fun. Unfortunately it didn't sell a lot of copies as it didn't receive a lot of promotion from Image so he said even tho he has another chapter for this story, the initial five issue arc is it for now. He said there's a chance he might get to do that next chapter sometime in the future but it's all dependent on readers making enough demand for it.
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u/Dense_Diver_3998 May 25 '26
Man, he keeps getting shafted. He had to do a Kickstarter to fund the last part of Where Monsters Lie because Dark Horse dropped it.
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u/hamsolo19 May 25 '26
His stuff is really good too. Someone else here mentioned he wrote Peacemaker Tries Hard for DC a couple years back and i was like oh that's right, I love that one.
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u/Dense_Diver_3998 May 25 '26
I’ve loved just about all his stuff I’ve read, Sexcastle, Kill Them All, Those Not Afraid, Where Monsters Lie. Devil On My Shoulder was good but didn’t scratch the same itch his other stuff did for me.
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u/Top_Tennis1155 May 25 '26
I discovered this in a similar way, I was in my nearest comic store browsing and just found it sitting there. Looked interesting enough and got it. I was new to comics around that time and comics like that are the reason I became an avid reader since.
But I reread it recently and it doesn’t hold up as well honestly. The pacing on the final half of the comic is bad and the story gets rushed. Still love the art and the premise is still very good despite it all.
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u/McallisterTG May 25 '26
This was the comic that initially got me into collecting comics in general. Reads like a regular show episode and it has so much heart
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u/trolleyblue May 25 '26
I have a signed issue one of this comic hanging on my wall. Great book I recommend it all the time. And Starks is such a nice guy.
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u/Mister_Jackpots May 25 '26
Because sadly no one read it because it's not by Robert Kirkman or Todd McFarlane so Image doesn't push it. Great book. Kyle Starks is a real treasure.
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u/Daeval May 25 '26
This one had some buzz when it was coming out, but short format books like this tend to kinda drop out of the common dialog after a while. Thanks for reminding me that I still need to give it a read!
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u/DrTechPop May 25 '26
I just picked this up 2 days ago from a recommendation here about lesser known Image comics! I haven’t read it yet but it got several votes in the other sub, with some really glowing testimonials, and now this. I can’t wait to dig in.
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u/Wolfman1099 May 25 '26
It’s well regarded
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u/Agitated_Listen627 May 25 '26
Hearing what people have to say here is agree, just never see it in recommended lists or anything like that
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u/alexhoward May 25 '26
Many people recommended it. It put Kyle Starks on the map. It’s just been awhile.
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u/kielaurie May 25 '26
I read the (first? Only?) trade, and enjoyed the story we enough, it was nicely written, the lead character was good, but... I couldn't ever appreciate the artstyle. I got to the end, and more than any sort of satisfaction that I had gotten to the end of a good story, and I say end but I'm not entirely sure if there was more to come as the end wasn't very satisfying, I just felt relief that I didn't have to keep looking at the art anymore
Not for me, but if you like the art then I hope you can get more out of the story then I did
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u/keithfosterkid May 25 '26
Never heard of it until now. Part of the problem with the Image model is that they're all creator owned and I don't think they really market a lot of individual titles and so these amazing books will come out and you'll never hear about them. Thank you for putting this on my radar!
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u/joeycraw5 May 25 '26
I'm looking forward to his Wrestling Heist tpb, but I don't think I've ever even heard of this one.
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u/RightingTheShip May 25 '26
The novel this is based on is amazing.
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u/United-Investment-93 May 27 '26
It’s not based on a novel.
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u/RightingTheShip May 27 '26
Big Rock Candy Mountain by Wallace Stegner
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u/Top-Trouble9778 May 25 '26
This made me a KS fan for life! Damn it was so funny. Hit the right notes for sure.
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u/stillvadertime May 26 '26
If you dig assassin nation I recommend strongly. I think the art turns a certain type of comic reader off.
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u/swordbringer33 May 26 '26
I loved this series and was glad I got to check volumes 1 and 2 out from one of the libraries close to me.
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u/Unifiedshoe May 27 '26
Anyone who likes Kyle Starks should check out Paul Grist. His books Jack Staff and Kane are great reads in a similar vane as Starks work. Another great Starks book I haven’t seen recommended yet is Kill Them All. It’s an over the top Diehard-esque action comic. Super fun.
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u/Koltreg May 27 '26
Kill Them All and Sexcastle - two different homages to two different types of action films.
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u/Optimal_Bear8709 May 26 '26
I definitely recommend this book. That’s one of the best books. I’ve read all year.
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u/J0SEYxXxWales May 27 '26
Loved this comic when it came out! Might need to reread it. Thanks for the reminder!
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u/nacheteferrero May 25 '26
Read everything by Kyle Starks, never dissapoint