Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Review: Ruff and Reddy Show #6

By Philip Schweier
March 28, 2018 - 04:02

Our cautionary tale in six parts concludes, as the comeback trail descends into hellish territory for our two stars. For the past five issues, they have ever so cautiously navigated the pitfalls of fame and stardom. Who knew that life as forgotten has-beens would be the high point of their story?

Ruff and Reddy have endured the occasional misstep, mismanagement, and misadventure and they’ve struggled to resurrect their careers. But as writer far better than myself once said, “Life is like that. Sometimes, at the height of our revelries, when our joy is at its zenith, when all is most right with the world, the most unthinkable disasters descend upon us.”

Here’s my observation of show biz, from the outside looking in: It’s like a chessboard, with a finite number of spaces, each occupied by a star burning brightly. But as time passes, that brightness begins to fade, for any number of reasons. When it’s weak enough, another brighter star takes its place, until its light begins to dim. Some of those struggling for a place on the chessboard are new; others have been there before and wish to return.

Somewhere along the way, the stars make alliances to remain shining. It becomes a partnership of producers, publicists and personal advisors. But everybody jockeying for a position on the board, it’s inevitable that some of those alliances end with sudden but inevitable betrayal. Malice? Maybe. Personal gain? Definitely. But that’s show biz.

Howard Chaykin and Mac Rey have told a tale everyone with dreams of stardom – especially the ego-maniacal personalities that currently occupy Tinseltown – should try. It’s full of the kind of compromises (i.e. extortion) that make the Harvey Weinstien scandal look tame in comparison.

Rating: 9/10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12