Remember Magnum P.I.? Ever wonder what it would be like, if it didn’t have Tom Selleck’s Porn-stache, didn’t have an inane plot and if it had a lot more characterization with a lot better characters?

Look no farther. Hawaiian Dick: Screaming Black Thunder is here!

This comic is one of those that reminds me why I love the medium. Watercolor palettes make the book soft on the eyes, but the sharp writing lets you know you’re reading a good solid detective story. With a bit of the weird.

The titular Screaming Black Thunders are, basically, the Thunderbirds, but in WWII-era airplanes.  During an airshow, a Japanese Zero comes out of nowhere and shoots one of them down, then disappears. No casualties ensued.
Byrd, the Hawaiian Dick himself, was at the show and meets the pilots over drinks later that night.  They hit it off pretty well, and Byrd is invited up in one of the planes. Of course, when they’re up there, the Zero re-appears and…..

Wait ’til next month.

This is a very good book — B. Clay Moore is the writer, and he nails the characters perfectly. Scott Chantler handles the pencilwork, and Steven Griffen is the watercolor genius.  Give these guys some money — but look hard! HD: SBT first printing sold out.