The Toxic Avenger Team-Up Review
- Bobby Campbell
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Publisher: Ahoy Comics
Release date: January 27, 2026
Cover Artist: Fred Harper
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Richard Pace
Colorist: Casbri Studios
Letterer: Rob Steen
PRICE: $17.99/$24.99 CAN
PREVIEW PAGES:
SOLICIT:
With a new film in 2025 and a long-awaited video game coming in 2026, the Toxic Avenger is hot! AHOY’s first TOXIE graphic novel hit stores like a rocket in 2025, and this companion volume sees the “hero from New Jersey” meet up with a surprise lineup of comic stars. First up: Jesus Christ from the hit series SECOND COMING, by that series’ creative team, Mark Russell and Richard Pace! Other clashes include the dystopian cops called JUSTICE WARRIORS, by Toxie mastermind Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson; the Garden State’s other monster, the Jersey Devil; Dragonfly, from THE WRONG EARTH; and that homicidal simian, Acid Chimp.
REVIEW:
Two-fisted titanic team-ups abound in this truly twisted collection of Toxic Avenger tales, straight outta Tromaville, New Jersey!
Having lived in New Jersey for 15 years now, I thought it was high time I let the Toxic Avenger into my life, especially with the tantalizing absurdity promised on the cover, and I am very glad I did.
With all the oozing charm of Scooby Doo meeting Mama Cass, or Abbott and Costello meeting the Wolfman, Toxie’s inherent absurdity and Troma-style street cred allows him to mix well with anyone, nevermind this cavalcade of Ahoy Comics darlings!
THE TOXIC AVENGER AND… JESUS CHRIST
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Richard Pace
Colorist: Casbri Studios
Letterer: Rob Steen
Much like the Toxic Avenger, I am mostly only familiar with this Jesus Christ fellow from pop culture and comparative mythology, so this served as a wonderful introduction to two, presumably equally important, iconic characters!
I absolutely love the narrative obstacle Mark Russell creates for Jesus here, the enacted meta-modern parable about those that can see sin but not injustice, and the catharsis of toxic rage channeled righteously.
If this is representative of the Second Coming comic series from Russell and Pace, starring this same version of Jesus, I assume, then I may have been successfully converted here.
Some glowing praise for Richard Pace as well, whose rough hewn mastery defines an authentically sacred reality which easily houses both messiah and monster with ease.
I do have a suggestion though! The perfect typography in the background objects and environments doesn’t jive well with the sketchy lines that comprise this world. I think the background text needs a hand drawn edge so it sits in the artwork less obtrusively.
THE TOXIC AVENGER AND… THE JERSEY DEVIL
IN “LIKE ROACHES TO SUGAR”
Writer: Stuart Moore
Artist: Ryan Kelly
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Rob Steen
A tale of devils and diners that plays beautifully with the local color of the garden state! Very much like something that would fit right in with WEIRD N.J.
Both the story and art treat the Toxic Avenger with more seriousness, adding layers of pathos and mystery to his origins, with a look and feel reminiscent of that other jade giant.
This more sincere folk hero take on the character is a welcome addition to his multidimensionality.
Not sure what a “Sugar Coke” is though!
THE TOXIC AVENGER AND… ACID CHIMP
IN “FRACKING AWESOME”
Writer: Bryce Ingman
Artist: Sandy Jarrell
Letterer: Rob Steen
I hate to say it, but Acid Chimp’s undeniably bombastic appearance here is somewhat overshadowed by the barely disguised addition of the Marx Brothers as a touring hip hop act, of which both chimp and avenger are huge fans, as am I frankly!
Sandy Jarrell’s bold, bright cartooning is especially notable, another great take on this very versatile character. I appreciate the channel-surfing style change in tones as we go from story to story. It is firmly established that anything can happen, and it usually does!
THE TOXIC AVENGER AND… DRAGONFLYMAN
Writer: Tom Peyer
Artist: Jamal Igle
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Rob Steen
And here we land in still another all-new, all-different ontological status for Toxie and friends!
In this case good ol’ Sludgeface has entered what feels like a pastiche reality not too dissimilar from the 1966 Batman and Robin TV show, with him playing the sidekick role, with gusto!
Another convincing showcase for the guest star’s source material, as I found myself perusing Dragonflyman comics to see more of that world and its resonant sincerity.
Jamal Igle’s earnest, nostalgic realism looks so great on the Toxic Avenger!
And thank you for sparing a thought for the poor, suffering people of New Jersey!
THE TOXIC AVENGER AND… JUSTICE WARRIORS
IN “INHALE THE FUTURE”
Co-Writer & Letterer: Matt Bors
Co-Writer & Artist: Ben Clarkson
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
The natural conclusion of our genre jumping odyssey through the various Ahoy Comics’ worlds brings us to a full slapstick, alien, sci-fi extravaganza! Flexing the full absurdity of our titular hero in a wild dystopian mirror of our own surreal, stratified reality.
Melvin Junko finds himself in a future world as mutated as himself, a kind of reverse fish out of water story, with a blistering joke-per-panel pace, and an embarrassment of conceptual riches.
Turns out this whole book is quite a study in intercompany cross-promotional synergy, having been lured in by the big names on the marquee, and ended up taste-testing across a broad swath of Ahoy’s publishing slate and talented bullpen. Well done on all fronts, Until that jolly green pile of puke starts livestreaming his looksmaxxing routine, make mine Ahoy!
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