6 Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton

Trigger Keaton was one of the biggest martial arts action stars around after becoming world karate champion and starring in the TV series “Marshal Art.”  After that he starred in a succession of series that were either fondly remembered cult objects, “Sidecar” and “Spaceboat 3030,” or legitimate hits, “Frankenstein & Frankenstein,” that all came to a premature end for one reason.  That reason being Trigger was a gigantic asshole who treated everyone around him like crap.  This includes Miles Nguyen, who has a supporting role in what was to be Trigger’s comeback show, “Precinct Blues.”  It’s when he’s bringing Trigger his groceries that he finds the star dead, hanging by his neck in his apartment.  It isn’t until the wake, when Miles meets five of Trigger’s other co-stars (or “sidekicks” as the man likely saw them), that he believes that the man was murdered.  All of these other sidekicks have an ax to grind with the dead star, and he just needs to find the one who grinds hardest.  After all, he’s been to police boot camp for his new show so he knows how to handle these things.

“6 Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton” is the latest series from writer Kyle Starks, who gave us the seriously underappreciated “Assassin Nation” with artist Erica Henderson.  This time he’s joined by artist Chris Schweitzer for a story that’s equal parts affectionate trip through network television from the 80’s through the 00’s and absurdist murder mystery.  The results are enjoyable enough, even if the final product feels like it lacks focus, as if it couldn’t decide which of those two things it really wanted to be.  Still, the funny bits are funny, the main cast are generally likeable, and the art from Schweitzer is able to serve the story well as he clearly knows how to handle comedy, action, and both at the same time.

I do confess to not understanding why there’s a “vol. 1” on this collection as the story wraps up pretty conclusively by its end.  Perhaps Starks was betting on this finally being his big breakout hit at Image?  In any case, he’s currently writing a new series “F*ck This Place” with its first issue due out in May.  So while I do recommend checking out this collection, I don’t think anyone should hold their breath for vol. 2 coming out anytime soon.